Correlations

• What is the main focus of a correlational study?

  To find relationships between two variables
• How do correlational studies differ from lab experiments?

  Correlational studies do not control variables
• What are the variables in a correlational study called?

  Co-variables
• Why are correlations used instead of experiments?

  Due to practical or ethical limitations
• What are the three types of correlations?

  • Positive correlation
  • Negative correlation
  • No correlation
• What does a positive correlation indicate?

  High scores on one variable relate to high scores on another
• What does a negative correlation indicate?

  High scores on one variable relate to low scores on another
• What does no correlation mean?

  No relationship exists between the two variables
• What is a correlation coefficient?

  A statistic indicating correlation strength and type
• What range does a correlation coefficient fall within?

  Between -1 and +1
• What does a correlation coefficient close to zero indicate?

  A very weak correlation
• What does a correlation coefficient close to +1 indicate?

  A very strong positive correlation
• What does a correlation coefficient close to -1 indicate?

  A very strong negative correlation
• What are perfect correlations?

  Coefficients of exactly +1 or -1