Correlations Flashcards
what is a correlation
a statistical measure that expresses the extent to which two variables are linearly related
common tool for describing simple relationships
linearly related
change together at a constant rate
how are the IV and DV expressed in correlations
there are no IV and DV in correlations
what are variables known as in correlations
co-variables
positive correlation
as one variable increases, so does the other variable
negative correlation
as one variable increases, the other decreases
what may correlational analysis lack in terms of validity
internal/ external validity
can cause and effect relationships be drawn from correlational analysis
no
what is the problem with the chance that intervening variables may be invovled
the impact of these cannot be assessed in a correlational study
what is the positive of correlational analysis being able to test naturally occurring variables
may be unethical or impractical to test in a lab setting
can correlational analysis make use of existing data
yes
when is further investigation justified
is a correlation is significant
when can a simple linear casual relationship be ruled out
if a correlation isn’t significant
