Research Methods - Correlations

Question 1

What do we call an association between 2 co-variables?

Answer 1

Correlation

Question 2

What are co-variables?

Answer 2

The variables investigated in a correlation

Question 3

What’s a positive correlation?

Answer 3

As one co-variable increases, so does the other.

Question 4

What’s a negative correlation?

Answer 4

As one co-variable increases, the other decreases.

Question 5

What’s a zero correlation?

Answer 5

No relationship between variables.

Question 6

Directional hypothesis?

Answer 6

States if there is a positive or negative correlation

Question 7

Strength of correlations (start point)

Answer 7

• a good starting point for research
• tell us that 2 variables are related which may give ideas for future research
• help identify patterns between variables & lead to new investigations

Question 8

Strength of correlations (complex relations)

Answer 8

• can be used to investigate more complex relationships
• most people’s general level of alertness rises during the day, reaches a peak and falls towards bedtime
• called a curvilinear relationship
• means correlation has many uses as a technique to understand how variables are associated

Question 9

Weakness of correlations (cause & effect)

Answer 9

• can only tell us how variables are related not why
• may find a positive correlation but not know which causes which
• not possible to show cause & effect
• limits conclusions that can be drawn

Question 10

Weakness of correlations (intervening variables)

Answer 10

• important intervening variables may be overlooked
• the apparent link may not be because one causes the other but because a 3rd factor comes in
• no control over EVs
• can’t be as certain as an experiment so wrong conclusions may be drawn