research methods - correlations.

Question 1

What is meant by “correlations”?

Answer 1

Mathematical technique which illustrates the strength and direction of a relationship between two or more co-variables.

Question 2

What is meant by “co-variables”?

Answer 2

Variables used when looking at correlations.

Question 3

What is meant by “positive correlation”?

Answer 3

Relationship which occurs when one co-variable increases increasing the other co-variable and vice versa.

Question 4

What is meant by “negative correlation”?

Answer 4

Relationship which occurs when one co-variable increases decreasing the other co-variable.

Question 5

What is meant by “zero correlation”?

Answer 5

Exists when there is no relationship between the co-variables.

Question 6

How are correlations plotted?

Answer 6

On a scatter gram.

Question 7

What is the difference between correlation and an experiment?

Answer 7

• IV is controlled and manipulated as the DV is measured in an experiment.
  ↳ deliberately changing a variable to measure the effect on the DV.
• correlation is different
  ↳ not manipulating any variables.
  ↳ establishing a cause and effect relationship.

Question 8

What does a positive correlation consist of?

Answer 8

• both co-variables move in the same direction.
  [e.g. more time spent on treadmill, more calories burnt]

Question 9

What does a negative correlation consist of?

Answer 9

• both co-variables move in opposite direction.
  [e.g. more hours slept, the less tired you will be]

Question 10

What does a zero correlation consist of?

Answer 10

• neither co-variables moves in a particular direction.
  [e.g. no correlation between number of caffeinated drinks consumed and number of dogs seen on the street]

Question 11

What are the correlation hypotheses?

Answer 11

• directional.
• non-directional.
• null.

Question 12

What is meant by “directional correlation”?

Answer 12

Negative/positive correlation between co-variable 1 and co-variable 2.

Question 13

What is meant by “non-directional correlation”?

Answer 13

Correlation between co-variable 1 and co-variable 2.

Question 14

What is meant by “null correlation”?

Answer 14

No correlation between co-variable 1 and co-variable 2.

Question 15

What is meant by “correlation co-efficient”?

Answer 15

Indicates the direction and strength of the relationship between the two variables.

Question 16

What are the correlation co-efficients?

Answer 16

• produce a coefficient between +1 and –1.
• coefficients with a minus sign = negative correlation.
• coefficients with a positive sign = positive correlation.
• closer to 0 = weak correlation.
• closer to 1 = strong correlation.

Question 17

What are the strengths of correlations?

Answer 17

• useful tool for research
  ↳ provide precise and quantifiable measure of how two variables are related.
  ➝ gives opportunity for future research.
• quick and economical to carry out
  ↳ no need for controlled environment.
  ➝ no manipulation required.
  ➝ secondary data can be used to make correlations therefore less time consuming.

Question 18

What are the weaknesses of correlations?

Answer 18

• only how they are related not why
  ↳ due to lack of experimental manipulation.
  ➝ cannot establish cause and effect.
• possibility of third unknown variable which causes relationship.
• can be misinterpreted or misused such as media may present a relationship as facts.