correlational studies

• correlation = systematic association between two continuous variables - method to analyse data, not a research method.
• positive correlation = when two variables increase together
• negative correlation = one variable increases as the other decreases
• zero correlation = no relationship between the variables
• correlational hypothesis = the expected association between the co-variables
• correlation coefficient = a measure of the extent of correlation that exists between the co-variables.
• disadvantages

  • misinterpretation - researchers may jump to conclusions, hard to establish cause and effect
  • may lack internal/external validity
• advantages:

  • can be used to find trends in data and work out if further investigation is required
  • reproducible - higher reliability
  • little manipulation of variables required - higher mundane realism and ecological validity