correlation Flashcards
Q: What is a correlation?
A: A mathematical technique to find an association between two variables.
Q: What does the correlation coefficient show?
A: It shows the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables.
Q: How does a correlation differ from an experiment?
A: Variables are measured, not manipulated, and no cause-effect relationship is found.
Q: What is a positive correlation?
A: When both variables increase together (coefficient > 0).
Q: What is a negative correlation?
A: When one variable increases and the other decreases (coefficient < 0).
Q: What is a zero correlation?
A: No relationship between variables (coefficient = 0).
Q: What is a curvilinear relationship?
Q: What is a curvilinear relationship?
Q: What does a directional hypothesis state?
A: It predicts a positive or negative correlation.
Q: What does a non-directional hypothesis state?
A: It predicts a correlation but not the type.
Q: What are strengths of correlations?
A: Quick, economical, and can use secondary data.
Q: What are limitations of correlations?
A: No cause-effect, third-variable problem, and can be misinterpreted as causation.
