Correlations

Question 1

What are Correlations?

Answer 1

They predict a relationship between variables (rather than a difference)
* The strength and direction is measured
* A link is identified (rather than a cause of behaviour)

Question 2

What is the **Correlation co-efficient? **

Answer 2

A *number measuring the strength and direction *of a correlation
* +1 = Positive correlation
* 0= No correlation
* -1 = Negative Correlation

Question 3

Positive correlation

Answer 3

As one variable increases the other increases or vice versa
e.g. fewer sweets eaten, fewer fillings needed

Question 4

Negative Correlation

Answer 4

As one variable increases the other decreases e.g. more epensive the petrol, the less people buy it

Question 5

No correlation

Answer 5

There is no clear relationship

Question 6

Correlation Strengths

Answer 6

+ If corrrelation is significant, space is opened for further research (correlations are used as a starting point to investigate possible variables before commiting to an experimental study
+Ethical, no manipulation of behaviour is needed
+ Quick and cheap, secondary data used

Question 7

Correlation Weaknesses

Answer 7

- *Cannot establish cause and effect *due to intervening variables (third variable problem)
- Suffer from any disadvantages of research methods used

Question 8

Compare Experiments to Correlations

Answer 8

• E shows cause and effect, C does not as it only looks at relationships
• E has manipulation of IV over DV,
• E has more control and reduced levels of intervening variables
• E collects primary data, C collects secondary data