Correlation Flashcards
Correlation
A form of research in psychology in which we are trying to calculate if there is a significant relationship between 2 covariables
Co-varibales
The 2 variables that are being measured to see if there is a significant relationship affecting each other
Research question
A broad question shout the concept being investigated eg:
Are people more _ when it is _?
Research aims
Having identified the broad question, the research aim is then identifying a more specific concept within the researcher wants to investigate
Are there independent/dependent variables in correlational studies?
No because we are not measuring the cause (iv) and effect (dv) but if there is a relationship between 2 co variables
How must co variables be operationalised in correlation?
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
What’s important in writing hypotheses for correlation?
There will be a significant RELATIONSHIP (not effect)
Between 2 co variables
A one tailed alternative hypothesis (correlation)
There will be a significant positive/negative correlation between co variables X and Y
A two tailed alternative hypothesis (correlation)
There will be a significant correlation between co variables X and Y
A null hypothesis (correlation)
There will be no significant correlation between co variables X and Y. Any relationship is due to chance factors
How are the results of a correlation study shown?
On a scatter graph
What does each cross on the scatter graph of a correlation study results show?
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)
What does the total number of crosses on a scatter graph tell us?
The size of the data the researcher has collected eg sample size (each represents a participant)
A positive correlation on a scatter graph
X axis Increases as y axis increases
A negative correlation on a scatter graph
X axis increases as y axis decreases
What do scatter graphs not tell us?
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
Findings vs conclusions in correlation studies
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
Correlation co efficient
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
A positive correlation co efficient
Shows a positive correlation (as one co variable increases, the other co variable increases)
A negative correlation co efficient
Shows a negative correlation (as one co variable increases, the other decreases)
A correlation co efficient close to 0
Shows that there is no correlation
As the correlation co efficient moves away from 0…
The stronger the correlation is
(Further into negative = stronger negative correlation)
Further to 1 = stronger positive correlation)
What is the maximum for correlation co efficient?
Ranges from -1 to +1
What does the correlation co efficient allow us to do?
Retain a hypothesis or reject it (if there is a significant relationship or no significant relationship)
