Correlations

Question 1

what do correlations show?

Answer 1

• indicates strength and direction of an association between 2 co variables
• plotted on a scattergraph

Question 2

explain the types of correlation?

Answer 2

• positive correlation= +1
• negative= -1
• no correlation= 0
• the closer to +1 or -1, the stronger the coefficent

Question 3

what is the difference between correlation and experiments?

Answer 3

-experiment= researcher manipulates the independent variable IV to measure effect on DV
-correlation= no manipulation of variables, cause and effect cant be established
-

Question 4

evaluate strengths of correlations?

Answer 4

+provides a precise measure of how two variables are related
+may suggest ideas for future research to explain how variables are related
+economical to carry out, no need for controlled environment of manipulation of variables
+less time consuming than experiments as secondary data can be used

Question 5

evaluate limitations of correlations?

Answer 5

• lack of experimental manipulation and control
• only tells how co-variables are related but not why
• an untested third variables may be the reason for the correlation between co-variables
• cause and effect cannot be established