Correlations

• Correlations


  Look for a relationship between 2 continuous variables. This is not to say that one thing causes another, simply that one thing varies in accordance with another.
• Correlational study


  • Variables are simply measured, no deliberate change is made. Therefore, no conclusion can be made about one co-variable causing the other.

  
• Positive correlation


  If 1 variable increases, 2nd variable is also likely to increase
• Negative correlation


  If 1 measured variable increases, other measured variable decreases
• No correlation


  Situation where no definite trend occurs + 2 measured variables do not appear to be related to each other
• Strengths of Correlations


  • Allows researcher to investigate naturally occurring variables that may be unethical or impractical to test experimentally
  • Allows researcher to clearly + easily see if there is a relationship between variables. This can then be displayed in a graphical form.

  
• Limitations of Correlations


  • Is not + cannot be taken to imply causation. Even if there is a very strong association between 2 variables we cannot assume that 1 causes the other.
  • Does not allow us to go beyond data that is given.
  • Restricted to research where measurements are quantitative so cannot be used to investigate why behaviours are occurring.
• Correlation does not imply causation
• Psychologists have suggested there is a correlation between watching TV violence and aggressive behaviour


  This doesn't mean that TV 'causes' aggressive behaviour but there is a link