correlation studies

Question 1

positive correlation

Answer 1

a relationship between two variables that move in the same direction, when one variable increases as the other increases
has a plus sign as part of its correlation coefficient

Question 2

negative correlation

Answer 2

when one variable increases the other decreases
has a minus sigh as part of its correlation coefficient

Question 3

no correlation

Answer 3

there is no relationship between the two variables

Question 4

operationalising variables

Answer 4

when it has been turned into something that can be measured

Question 5

alternative hypothesis
(for correlation)

Answer 5

a prediction that there will be a statistically significant relationship between two co-variables

Question 6

null hypothesis
(for correlation)

Answer 6

propose that there will be no statistical significance.
states there will be no correlation between x and y

Question 7

two-tailed hypothesis
(for correlations)

Answer 7

there will be no correlation between x and y

Question 8

one tailed hypothesis
(for correlations)

Answer 8

results from an alternative hypothesis which specifies a direction

Question 9

co-variable

Answer 9

indicate two or more quantities being measured in a correlation by the researcher that may or may not vary with each other

Question 10

correlation co-efficient

Answer 10

numerical measure of some type of correlation eg -1 , 1

Question 11

scattergraph

Answer 11

type of plot or mathematical diagram using coordinates to display values for typically two variables for a set of data

Question 12

primary data

Answer 12

data gathered directly from the participants by the researcher

Question 13

secondary data

Answer 13

data that has already been gathered by someone other than the researcher

Question 14

sampling method

Answer 14

the researcher will need to decide what the target population is that they want to be able to make generalisations about and then settle on a way or obtaining a sample of either participants or data that will be representative of this

Question 15

unstructured observation

Answer 15

When observation is to take place without the pre defined plan and characteristics in advance,

Question 16

structured

Answer 16

observations take place with a predefined plan and characteristics in advance

Question 17

behavioural categories

Answer 17

Clearly defined, specific actions that can be observed and recorded as examples of the target behaviour.

Question 18

coding frame

Answer 18

an organized and systematic approach to categorizing and interpreting the collected data

Question 19

naturalistic observation

Answer 19

a qualitative research method where you record the behaviors of your research subjects in real world settings.

Question 20

controlled observation

Answer 20

a research method where researchers watch participants in a contained environment, such as a laboratory.

Question 21

participant observation

Answer 21

a research methodology where the researcher is immersed in the day-to-day activities of the participants.

Question 22

non- participant observation

Answer 22

observing participants without actively participating.

Question 23

covert observation

Answer 23

where the researcher is “undercover”; the participants are unaware that they are being observed.

Question 24

overt observation

Answer 24

where those being observed are aware of the fact.

Question 25

event sampling

Answer 25

involves observation of targeted behaviours or specific events.

Question 26

time sampling

Answer 26

method of collecting data or information in which you watch research participants for a specific amount of time and record whether or not a particular behavior or activity took place.

Question 27

researcher/ observer bias

Question 28

researcher/ observer effect

Question 29

inter- rater reliability

Answer 29

the extent to which different raters or observers give consistent estimates of the same phenomenon