Correlations Flashcards
What is a correlation?
Illustrates the relationship between 2 co variables
What type of graph are correlations plotted on?
Scattergram
What is a positive correlation?
As one variable increases, the other increases.
What is a negative correlation?
As one variable increases, the other decreases.
What is a zero correlation?
There is no relationship between the 2 co variables.
What is the difference between correlations and experiments?
Experiments show how the IV affects the DV. Correlations only show a relationship between 2 variables.
Explain how correlations are a useful preliminary tool for research.
They allow us to see whether there is a relationship between 2 variables. If there is, then researchers might consider investigating it.
Explain how correlations are economical.
They are quick to carry out. They don’t require controlled lab environments, so no manipulation of variables is required.
Do correlations use primary or secondary data?
Why is this a benefit?
Use secondary data.
This data can be found online, which is easy to gather.
What can’t we establish from correlations?
Cause and effect. This means we only know how variables are related, but not why.
What does it mean when correlations don’t tell us about cause and effect between co variables?
We don’t know which co variable is causing the other to change.
What is the ‘3rd variable’ and how can if affect correlations?
Another variable that may actually be causing the relationship between the 2 correlated co variables.
What is the correlation coefficient?
+0.8/-0.8
If the correlation coefficient is above 0.8 or lower than -0.8, it is strong.
