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Flashcards in Lecture 2 Deck (11)
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1
Q

What is the correlational method?

A

Research technique in which 2 (or more) variables are measured to determine if they relate in a systematic way (not manipulated)

2
Q

What is a correlation?

A

How well can one variable be predicted by another

3
Q

What is r?

A

Statistic indicating the strength and direction of the relationship

4
Q

What numbers can r fall between?

A

+1.00 and -1.00 (sign=direction, number =strength)

5
Q

What does a correlation of 0 indicate?

A

No relationship at all. Correlation line of best fit does not exist.

6
Q

What is considered a strong, moderate, and weak correlation?

A

Strong: .3 or .4
Moderate: .3-.2
Weak: .2-.1

7
Q

What does it mean when you have a perfect correlation?

A

If iI know your score on one variable, I can guess with absolute certainty your score on another (line of best fit goes through every data point)

8
Q

Why does correlation not imply causation?

A

1) Directionality problem

2) third variable problem

9
Q

What is the directionality problem?

A

It is uncertain which variable causes change in another (does A cause B? Or does B cause A?)

10
Q

What is the third variable problem?

A

Correlated variables may both be caused by another spurious (artificial) correlation

11
Q

Why do we do correlational research?

A

1) Can’t ethically or practically control some variables (ex: height, religious affiliction, intelligence, personality)
2) Even without causation, can still use correlations to make predictions