Correlations

Question 1

What is a correlation

Answer 1

• an association between two variables

Question 2

What are co-variables

Answer 2

• the variables investigated within a correlation to find an association rather than a cause and effect relationship

Question 3

What is a positive correlation

Answer 3

• as one co-variable increases so does the other

Question 4

What is a negative correlation

Answer 4

• as on co-variable increases the other decreases

Question 5

What is meant by the term ‘zero correlation’

Answer 5

• when there is no relationship between the co-variables

Question 6

What is the difference between a correlation and an experiment

Answer 6

• experiment: researcher manipulates or controls the IV in order to measure the effect on the DV (to find/identify the cause and effect relationship)
• the opposite is true for a correlation and so it is impossible to establish a case and effect relationship between the two co-variables, there are many other reasons as to a positive correlation

Question 7

What are ‘other variables’ called or referred to as

Answer 7

• intervening variables

Question 8

What is strength of correlations

Answer 8

• provide a quantifiable measure of how two variables are related, may suggest future research
• relatively quick, economical, less time-consuming

Question 9

What is a limitation of correlations

Answer 9

• can only tell us how and not why
• unsure of which variable is causing change of the other as correlations cannot show cause and effect
• can be misused, misinterpreted
• there may also be another third variable causing the change, this can also be known as the ‘third variable problem’