Correlations

Question 1

What is a correlation?

Answer 1

A Mathematical technique that shows the relationship between two variables (co-variables).

Question 2

What is a positive correlation?

Answer 2

As one co-variable increases so does the other.

Question 3

What is a negative correlation?

Answer 3

As one variable increases the other decreases

Question 4

What is a zero correlation?

Answer 4

When there is no relationship between the co-variables

Question 5

Correlation graphs strengths

Answer 5

• Assessing strength and direction of relationship provides precise and quantifiable measure of how two things are related.
• No need for controlled environment and no manipulation of variables is required.

Question 6

Correlation graphs limitations

Answer 6

• Studies can only tell us how variables are related not why.
• May also be that another untested variable is causing the relationship between two co-variables - intervening variables - the third variable problem.

Question 7

What is different between correlations and experiments?

Answer 7

variables aren’t manipulated like an experiment.

Question 8

What are correlations plotted on?

Answer 8

scatter graph.