A2 correlations and case studies

Question 1

ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF CORRELATIONS

CORRELATIONS AND CORRELATION COEFFICIENTS
The term correlation refers to a mathematical technique which measures the

Answer 1

relationship/association between two continuous variables (called co-variables).

Question 2

Such relationships are plotted on a scattergram where each axis represents one of the variables investigated.
Each of which, when calculated, produces a numerical value somewhere between -1 and +1 known as the correlation coefficient.
This value tells us

Answer 2

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

Question 3

WORKING OUT WHAT A COEFFICIENT MEANS
A value of +1 represents a perfect positive correlation, and a value of -1, a perfect negative correlation.

The closer the coefficient is to +1 or -1, the stronger the relationship between the co-variables is.

The closer to zero, the weaker the relationship is. +.50 is as strong a relationship as -.50, the sign just indicates the

Answer 3

direction.

Question 4

However, that coefficients that appear to indicate weak correlations can still be statistically significant - it depends on

Answer 4

the size of the data set.

Question 5

CASE STUDIES

To study a ‘case’ in psychology is to provide a detailed and in-depth analysis of an individual, group, institution, or event.
Case studies often involve

Answer 5

analysis of unusual individuals or events, such as a person with a rare disorder.

However, case studies may also concentrate on more ‘typical’ cases, such as an elderly person’s recollections of their childhood.

Question 6

Conducting a case study usually - though not exclusively - involves the production of qualitative data.
Researchers may construct a case history of the individual concerned, perhaps using interviews, observations, questionnaires, or a combination of all of these.
It is even possible that the person may be subject to experimental or psychological testing to assess what they are (or are not) capable of, and this may produce quantitative data.

Case studies tend to

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take place over a long period of time (longitudinal) and may involve gathering additional data from family and friends of the individual as well as the person themselves.

Question 7

Case studies - STRENGTHS

rich, detailed insights, may generate hypotheses for future study

Answer 7

Case studies are able to offer rich, detailed insights that may shed light on very unusual and atypical forms of behaviour.
This may be preferred to the more ‘superficial forms of data that might be collected from, say, an experiment or questionnaire.
As well as this, case studies may contribute to our understanding of ‘typical functioning.
For example, the case of HM was significant as it demonstrated typical memory processing - the existence of separate stores in STM and LTM.
Case studies may generate hypotheses for future study and one solitary, contradictory instance may lead to the revision of an entire theory - the single pebble that starts an avalanche.

Question 8

Case studies - LIMITATIONS

small sample size, subjective, inaccuracy and memory decay

Answer 8

Generalisation of findings is obviously an issue when dealing with such small sample sizes.
Furthermore, the information that makes it into the final report is based on the subjective selection and interpretation of the researcher.
Add to this the fact that personal accounts from the participants and their family and friends may be prone to inaccuracy and memory decay, especially if childhood stories are being told.
This means that evidence from case studies begins to look a little low in validity.