Correlation analysis

Question 1

What do correlations investigate?

Answer 1

The relationship between two variables, it doesn’t determine a cause and effect relationship (as there’s is no IV). It simply looks to see if two variables are linked

Question 2

Is correlation analysis an experiment?

Answer 2

NO as there is no IV so we can’t say that one affects the other

Question 3

How do you carry out a correlation analysis?

Answer 3

1. Decide which two variables to study
2. Collect data on the two variables
3. Visually represent this data using a scattergram and decide which the of correlation that’s found (positive, negative or none)
   4.Work out the correlation coefficient (a number between -1 and +1 based on the relationship)

Question 4

What are the advantages of correlation analysis?

Answer 4

Allows preliminary research to be carried out to indicate a link between two variables
Allows the generation of a larger amount of data as they’re quick and easy to carry out (only requires 2 sets of data)

Question 5

What are the disadvantages of correlation analysis?

Answer 5

Impossible to infer cause and effect as it could also be a third party
Only measures a ‘linear relationship’ when some variables are related in a ‘curvilinear relationship’