Chapter 6: Correlational (Predictive) Methods and Statistics

Question 1

How to conduct correlational research

Answer 1

-collect data on two variables of interest
-compute the correlation coefficient that indicates the direction and the strength of the relationship
-if the correlation coefficient is moderate to strong, then you can use the values on one variable to predict the values on the other variable

Question 2

Can causality ever be inferred from a correlation?

Answer 2

Yes, because the inference of causality depends on how the data are collected, not how the data are analyzed

Question 3

What is direction in terms of correlation?

Answer 3

Refers to whether a correlation is positive or negative

Question 4

What is a positive correlation?

Answer 4

Values on the variables move in the same direction; as values on one variable increase, values on the other variable also increase

Question 5

What is a negative correlation?

Answer 5

Values on the variables move in opposite directions; as one increases, values on the other variable decrease

Question 6

What is a correlation of zero?

Answer 6

A neither positive or negative relationship; there is no linear relationship between the values of the variables

Question 7

What is Magnitude?

Answer 7

Also referred to as the strength refers to how close a correlation is to -1, 0, or +1

Question 8

How do you determine magnitude?

Answer 8

-a correlation that is relatively close to 0, whether positive or negative, is weak
-a correlation that is relatively close to 1, is strong
-a correlation between +/-.30 and +/- .69 is intermediate

Question 9

What are the two issues that can cause a weak correlation to be misinterpreted?

Answer 9

Restricted Range and Curvilinear Relationship

Question 10

What are the three issues that can cause a strong correlation to be misinterpreted?

Answer 10

Causality, Directionality, Third-Variable Problem