Correlation

• Positive correlation - two factors progressing in the same direction
• Correlation studies cannot prove cause an effect relationship
• Negative correlation - independent variable increases dependent variable decreases
• Strength of correlation studies

  • useful for preliminary analysis of data - no correlation = impossible for casual relationship - correlation = potential one factor causes the other used to justify experiments
  • at times only method to investigate - upbringing trauma impossible for research to manipulates - statistically investigate relationship
• Weaknesses of correlation

  • only relationship between two variables- do not directionality of variables - which is cause and effect - no conclusive reason for why connection exist in the first place
  • Intervening variables - 3rd variables might be cause of relationship - only describe relationship between selected variables - no ability to predict intervening ones