research methods: correlation

Question 1

what is correlational research?

Answer 1

measurement of the extent to which 2 pairs of related values on 2 variables tend to change together
(the extent to which two variables are related)

Question 2

why are correlations described in terms of co variables?

Answer 2

both variables change and are measured, neither is set or controlled by the researcher

Question 3

what is a positive correlation?

Answer 3

both variables increase together
- eg height and weight

Question 4

what is a negative correlation?

Answer 4

one variable increases as the other decreases
- eg height and temp decrease

Question 5

what is the correlation coefficient?

Answer 5

strength of the correlation
- less than 0 = neg
- more than 0 = pos
0-0.3 = weak
0.3-0.7 = moderate
0.7-1 = strong

Question 6

strengths of correlations

Answer 6

• investigate otherwise unethical situations
• control for ppt variables as both sets of data provided by same person
• lead to new research (establishes which areas have relationships so need to be researched more to find a cause and effect relationship)
• replicable method eg self report

Question 7

weaknesses of correlations

Answer 7

• identify link not cause
• lack validity
• self report is subjective to the individual, and uses questionnaires so may be an element of social desirability.
• uses secondary data

Question 8

supporting study for correlation

Answer 8

Li et al
- used fMRI scans on chronic heroin use and activity in PCC
- unaffected by social desirability / DCs so valid
- however self reporting heroin use

Question 9

What methods obtain correlational data?

Answer 9

• observations
• questionnaires
• twin/adoption studies
• experiments

Question 10

Analysis of correlational data

Answer 10

• ranking two sets of data
• using a scatter gram
• spearman’s rho

Question 11

Explain how ranking data would analyse a correlation

Answer 11

• rank two sets of data and compare
• if high ranks match with high ranks- then there is a positive correlation
• if high ranks match with low ranks- then there is a negative correlation

Question 12

Explain who using a scatter gram would analyse correlational data

Answer 12

• plot the co-variables on a scattergram
• draw a line of best fit to establish the correlation coefficient from the gradient

Question 13

Explain how there is high reliability in correlational data

Answer 13

• easily replicable methods used to gather quantitative data
• statistical tests such as a spearman’s rho can easily be replicated to test for consistency within results.
• (also increases validity as the statistical tests can be used to analyse results- objective- reducing misinterpretation or researcher bias)

Question 14

Explain how there is high validity

Answer 14

• statistical analysis- no misinterpretation
• controlling for ppt variables as both covariables will e completed by the same person therefore individual, differences will not affect the correlation.

Question 15

Explain how correlational data is ethical

Answer 15

• allows us to investigate otherwise unethical situations if experimented on such as environmentally causing aggression to produce social aggression