Correlation 1 & 2

Question 1

Correlation:

Answer 1

A mathematical technique in which a researcher investigates an association between 2 variables, called co-variables.

Question 2

Co-variables:

Answer 2

The variables investigates within a correlation. They are not referred to as the IV and the DV, the the association is being investigated, we are not trying to prove a cause and effect relationship.

Question 3

Positive correlation:

Answer 3

As one co-variables increases so does the other.

Question 4

Negative Correlation:

Answer 4

As one co-variables increases, the other decreases.

Question 5

Zero correlation:

Answer 5

No relationship between the co-variables.

Question 6

What does correlation illustrate and how is it plotted?

Answer 6

1. The strength and the direction of an association between 2 variables.
2. Plotted on a scattergram.

Question 7

What is the difference between correlations and experiments?

Answer 7

1. In an experiment the researcher controls or manipulates the IV, to measure the effect on the DV.
2. Correlation does not manipulate one variable, so it is not possible to establish cause and effect between one co-variable and another one.
3. It may be due to the other variables, whose influence cannot be disregarded, called intervening variables.

Question 8

E: Useful Preliminary Tool

Answer 8

1. By assessing the strength and direction of a relationship, they provide a precise and quanitifiable measure of how 2 variables are strongly related.
2. This may suggest ideas for possible future research if variables are strongly related or demonstrate an interesting pattern.
3. Used as a starting point to assess possible patterns between variables before researchers commit to an experimental study.

Question 9

S: Quick

Answer 9

1. Relatively quick and economical to carry out.
2. No need for a controlled environment and no manipulation of variables is required.
3. Secondary data can be used, which means correlations are less time consuming.

Question 10

E: Lack of Control

Answer 10

1. Can only tell us how variables are related, but cannot demonstrate cause and effect.
2. We do not know which co-variable is causing the other to change.

Question 11

E: 3rd Variable Problem

Answer 11

1. An intervening variable may be causing the change, another untested variable.
2. Thus, key variables can be unaccounted for and be causing the relationship between the variables.

Question 12

E: Misrepresented in the Media

Answer 12

1. They can be misused or misinterpreted. Particularly in media where relationships between variables are presented as causal ‘facts when in reality they may not be.
2. An often quoted statistic is that the relationship between being raised in a single parent household and the increased likelihood of being involved in crime.
3. There are many intervening variables at play.

Question 13

Analysing correlation coefficient:

Answer 13

The numerical value is between -1 and +1. The closer the number is to those 2 numbers the stronger the relationship between the co-variables and the opposite the closer they are to zero.