Correlations

Question 1

correlation

Answer 1

maths technique used to investigate an association between two variables
- requires quantitative data
- calculates correlation coefficient, which determines the strength and relationship between the variables

Question 2

difference between correlations and experiments

Answer 2

variables are measured (not manipulated)
only an association is found (not cause and effect relationship)
doesn’t use terms IV and DV

Question 3

negative correlation

Answer 3

when one variable increases, the other decreases
- scatter graph has negative gradient
- correlation coefficient is less than 0

Question 4

positive correlation

Answer 4

when one variable increases, the other increases
- scatter graph has positive gradient
- correlation coefficient is more than 0

Question 5

zero/no correlation

Answer 5

no relationship is found between the two variables
- scatter graph cannot have a line of best fit drawn bc random points
- correlation coefficient equals 0

Question 6

curvilinear relationship

Answer 6

as one variable increases, the other increases until a point is reached when one variable continues to increase and the other decreases
- inverted U shape

Question 7

hypothesis for correlational studies

Answer 7

directional hypothesis states whether there will be a negative or positive correlation between the variables
non-directional hypothesis states that there will be a correlation but the type is unknown

Question 8

correlations: strength

Answer 8

measures strength of relation between variables
applicable to range of numerical data
identifies relationships for new lines of research
quick and economical

Question 9

correlations: weakness

Answer 9

doesn’t produce a cause and effect relationship
extraneous variables not addressed
displays a relationship, but doesn’t explain
correlations can be misused or misinterpreted