Correlational Design

Question 1

What does a correlation coefficient value of 1 indicate?

Answer 1

A perfect positive correlation

This means the two sets of data are strongly linked together.

Question 2

What does a correlation coefficient value of 0 indicate?

Answer 2

No correlation

The values don’t seem linked at all.

Question 3

What does a correlation coefficient value of -1 indicate?

Answer 3

A perfect negative correlation

This means that as one value increases, the other decreases.

Question 4

What is a positive correlation?

Answer 4

When one value increases, the other also increases

Example: As you age, beauty increases.

Question 5

What is a negative correlation?

Answer 5

When one value decreases, the other increases

Example: As you age, beauty decreases.

Question 6

What does zero correlation mean?

Answer 6

No linear relationship

Example: There is no relationship between age and beauty.

Question 7

What is the main difference between a correlational design and an experiment?

Answer 7

Correlation shows relationships, while an experiment establishes causation

Correlation does not indicate causation.

Question 8

What type of correlation is suggested by the hypothesis: ‘students who spend more time revising will get better marks’?

Answer 8

Positive correlation

This implies that increased revision time is associated with higher marks.

Question 9

What is a scattergram?

Answer 9

A graphical representation of the relationship between two variables

It helps visualize the strength and direction of a correlation.

Question 10

What does it mean if the correlation is weak?

Answer 10

The values are closer to 0

This indicates a weaker relationship between the two variables.

Question 11

What is meta-analysis?

Answer 11

A research method that combines results from multiple studies on a given topic

It helps evaluate the overall evidence and findings.

Question 12

What are the strengths of correlation studies?

Answer 12

• Time and cost effective
• Useful to see whether further research should be carried out
• Can study things that are unable to manipulate

Correlation studies provide a preliminary understanding of relationships between variables.

Question 13

What are the weaknesses of correlation studies?

Answer 13

• Cannot show causation
• Only works with linear relationships
• May be affected by a third factor

These limitations highlight the need for caution in interpreting correlation results.