Correlations

Question 1

What does a correlation measure?

Answer 1

The relationship between 2 co-variables.

Question 2

What is the difference between a correlation and an experiment?

Answer 2

An experiment investigates the difference between 2 or more conditions to establish a cause and effect relationship. Whereas, a correlation investigates the relationship between two co-variables.

Question 3

What is a positive correlation?

Answer 3

When both co-variables behave in the same way i.e. if one variable increases so does the other.

Question 4

Give an example of a positive correlation.

Answer 4

An increase in sleep, increased performance on a memory test.

Question 5

What is a negative correlation?

Answer 5

When each co-variable behaves in different ways i.e. if one variable increases the other will decrease.

Question 6

Give an example of a negative correlation.

Answer 6

As exercise levels increase, anxiety levels will decrease.

Question 7

What is no correlation?

Answer 7

When there is no significant relationship between two co-variables.

Question 8

Give an example of an event with no correlation.

Answer 8

A student’s performance on their maths exam has no relationship with their performance on their English exam.

Question 9

When writing a hypothesis in a correlation context which word MUST you include in your statement?

Answer 9

Relationship

Question 10

What is used to display correlation data?

Answer 10

Scattergraphs

Question 11

What is the scattergraph showing a perfect positive correlation?

Answer 11

All points go diagonally upwards.

Question 12

What is the scattergraph showing a perfect negative correlation?

Answer 12

All points go diagonally downwards.

Question 13

How does a scattergraph showing no correlation look like?

Answer 13

All points are scattered across the graph (there’s no set pattern).

Question 14

True or False- Correlation doesn’t always mean causation?

Answer 14

True- there could be an additional variable that has influenced our findings, so we cannot be certain that the IV has caused the DV.

Question 15

Discuss 3 strengths of using a correlation as a research method.

Answer 15

-Correlations are a great preliminary research technique which allow psychologists to link pieces of research together so that they can be further investigated in the future.
-Correlations allow us to investigate variables that were sensitive or unethical to research in the first place because the direct manipulation of variables is not required.
-Correlation data can be displayed conveniently in a graphical format which is also easy to interpret.

Question 16

Discuss 2 weaknesses of using a correlation as a research method.

Answer 16

-Correlations do not establish cause and effect relationships, this means that although a relationship has been established between two variables it doesn’t necessarily have to be the true cause.
-There is a danger of misinterpreting the results that are gathered through a correlation, which can lead to further misunderstandings and incorrect applications of these results in real life situations.

Question 17

Which stats test is used for correlational research?

Answer 17

Spearmans Rho

Question 18

What is the criteria for the Spearmans Rho test?

Answer 18

-You must be investigating a relationship between 2 variables.
-The research method must be a correlation.
-The data gathered must be at least ordinal.