Correlation

Question 1

Correlation

Answer 1

A form of research in psychology in which we are trying to calculate if there is a significant relationship between 2 covariables

Question 2

Co-varibales

Answer 2

The 2 variables that are being measured to see if there is a significant relationship affecting each other

Question 3

Research question

Answer 3

A broad question shout the concept being investigated eg:
Are people more _ when it is _?

Question 4

Research aims

Answer 4

Having identified the broad question, the research aim is then identifying a more specific concept within the researcher wants to investigate

Question 5

Are there independent/dependent variables in correlational studies?

Answer 5

No because we are not measuring the cause (iv) and effect (dv) but if there is a relationship between 2 co variables

Question 6

How must co variables be operationalised in correlation?

Answer 6

Must be quantitative data
For each participant: their 2 data values must be ordinal or above so can be put on a scale. This way a correlation can actually be measured

Question 7

What’s important in writing hypotheses for correlation?

Answer 7

There will be a significant RELATIONSHIP (not effect)
Between 2 co variables

Question 8

A one tailed alternative hypothesis (correlation)

Answer 8

There will be a significant positive/negative correlation between co variables X and Y

Question 9

A two tailed alternative hypothesis (correlation)

Answer 9

There will be a significant correlation between co variables X and Y

Question 10

A null hypothesis (correlation)

Answer 10

There will be no significant correlation between co variables X and Y. Any relationship is due to chance factors

Question 11

How are the results of a correlation study shown?

Answer 11

On a scatter graph

Question 12

What does each cross on the scatter graph of a correlation study results show?

Answer 12

A different pair of values
Eg on the x axis, the participants score in one co variable (how far long it is) and on the y axis, the participant score in other vi variable (how high it is)

Question 13

What does the total number of crosses on a scatter graph tell us?

Answer 13

The size of the data the researcher has collected eg sample size (each represents a participant)

Question 14

A positive correlation on a scatter graph

Answer 14

X axis Increases as y axis increases

Question 15

A negative correlation on a scatter graph

Answer 15

X axis increases as y axis decreases

Question 16

What do scatter graphs not tell us?

Answer 16

That co variable x has an EFFECT on y (we can only establish a relationship)
What hypothesis is retained or rejected, only do this through inferential statistics eg finding the correlation co efficient

Question 17

Findings vs conclusions in correlation studies

Answer 17

Findings = refers to raw data of either co variable (mean, median, mode, range, outliers)
Conclusions = broad inferences made from raw data eg direction of correlation if it’s positive or negative + its strength

Question 18

Correlation co efficient

Answer 18

A value obtained from inferential statistical tests which allows us to determine how strong/weak the correlation is, and what direction (conclusion) based on its value

Question 19

A positive correlation co efficient

Answer 19

Shows a positive correlation (as one co variable increases, the other co variable increases)

Question 20

A negative correlation co efficient

Answer 20

Shows a negative correlation (as one co variable increases, the other decreases)

Question 21

A correlation co efficient close to 0

Answer 21

Shows that there is no correlation

Question 22

As the correlation co efficient moves away from 0…

Answer 22

The stronger the correlation is
(Further into negative = stronger negative correlation)
Further to 1 = stronger positive correlation)

Question 23

What is the maximum for correlation co efficient?

Answer 23

Ranges from -1 to +1

Question 24

What does the correlation co efficient allow us to do?

Answer 24

Retain a hypothesis or reject it (if there is a significant relationship or no significant relationship)

Question 25

Advantages of correlational studies

Answer 25

Allows us to measure the relationship between variables that are too unethical to manipulate
Test for inter rater reliability in experiments
Starting point for research (establish relationship)
Find something new (new relationship) of pre existing data

Question 26

Disadvantages of correlational studies

Answer 26

Correlation =/= causation
Inferential statistics don’t always pick up on a relationship eg a might have a correlation coefficient of 0 when there is still related
No qualitative data is collected