correlations

Question 1

what does a correlation illustrate

Answer 1

the strength and direction of an association between two or more co-variables

Question 2

correlations definition

Answer 2

a mathematical technique in which a researcher investigates an association between two variables called co-variables

Question 3

how is a correlation plotted

Answer 3

on a scattergram where one co-variable is on the x axis and the other is on the y

Question 4

positive correlation

Answer 4

as one co-variable increases so does another

Question 5

negative correlation

Answer 5

as one co-variable increases the other decreases

Question 6

zero correlation

Answer 6

when there is no relationship between the co-variables

Question 7

differnces in experiments and correlations - variables

Answer 7

-in an experiment the researcher manipulates the IV in order to measure effect on the DV
-in a correlation, there is no manipulation of variables

Question 8

differences in experiments and correlations- cause and effect

Answer 8

• in an experiment, it is possible to infer a cause and effect relationship between the manipulation of the IV causing the DV to change
  -in a correlation, there is no manipulation of variables and therefore it is not possible to establish cause and effect between one co-variable and another

Question 9

correlations- strengths (research)

Answer 9

-useful preliminary tool for research as assessing the strength and direction of a relationship, provides a precise and quantifiable measure of how two variables are related
-this may suggest ideas for possible future research if variables are strongly related, often used as a starting point before researcher commit to a study

Question 10

correlations- strengths (economical)

Answer 10

-quick and economical to carry out. there is no need for a controlled environment and no manipulation of variables is required
-secondary data can be used which means they are less time consuming

Question 11

correlations - limitations (cause + effect)

Answer 11

-due to lack of experimental manipulation and control within a correlation, studies can only tell us how variables are related and not why. they cannot demonstrate cause and effect between variables as we don’t know which co-variable is causing the other to change

Question 12

correlations - limitations (3rd variables)

Answer 12

-intervening variables are an untested variable that could be causing a correlation between two co-variables

Question 13

correlations - limitations (misused)

Answer 13

-correlations can occasionally be misused or misinterpreted. relationships can sometimes be presented as casual when they aren’t especially from the media. this is especially to do with intervening variables causing a correlation