RESEARCH METHODS: correlation

Question 1

What is correlation?

Answer 1

a mathematical technique in which a researcher investigates an association between two variables called co-variables.

Question 2

what are co-variables?

Answer 2

Variables investigated within a correlation. They are not referred to as independent and dependant variable because a correlation investigates the association between variables.

Question 3

what are the 3 types of correlation?

Answer 3

POSITIVE correlation
NEGATIVE correlation
ZERO correlation

Question 4

what is positive correlation?

Answer 4

As one variable increases so does the other

Question 5

what is negative correlation?

Answer 5

As one variable increases the other decreases

Question 6

what is zero correlation?

Answer 6

When there is o relationship between the co-variables

Question 7

What is correlation coefficient?

Answer 7

A number between -1 and +1 that represents the degree to which variables are associated.

Question 8

what do the numbers 0 - 1 on a scale represent?

Answer 8

0 - zero correlation
0.1-0.3 = weak correlation
0.4-0.5 = moderate correlation
0.6-0.9 = strong correlation
1 - perfect correlation

Question 9

what is the difference between experiments and correlations?

Answer 9

Experiments manipulate the IV to measure the DV and assume any effect was caused by the IV.However correlations have no manipulation of variables and simply observe two variables. In correlations no cause and effect can be established.

Question 10

STRENGTHS of correlations?

Answer 10

STRENGTHS:
+ correlations are a useful preliminary tool for research. By assessing the strength and direction of a relationship, they provide a precise and quantifiable measure of how two variables are related. This may suggest ideas for possible future research if variables are strongly related or demonstrate interesting pattern.

+ they are used as a starting point to assess possible patterns between variables before researchers commit to an experimental study.

+ they are quick and economical to carry out. There is no need for a controlled environment and no manipulation of variables is required.

+Data collected by others can be used which means correlations are less time-consuming than experiment.

Question 11

LIMITATIONS of correlations?

Answer 11

• Due to the lack of emperimental manipulation and control within a correlation, studies can only tell us how variables are related but not why
• correlations cannot demonstrate cause and effect between variables and therefore we do not know which co-variable is causing the other to change. So, establishing the direction of effect is an issue.

-Another untested variable is causing the relationship between two co-variables we are interested in ( an intervening variable)

• correlations can occasionally be misused or misinterpreted.