Correlations Flashcards
1
Q
What is a correlation?
A
A measurement of relationship between two or more co-variables
2
Q
What is a positive correlation?
A
As one co-variable increases the other increases
3
Q
What is a negative correlation?
A
As one co-variable decreases the other variable decreases
4
Q
How are corelation co-efficient calculated?
A
Statistical tests like spearman’s rho
5
Q
What does correlation not show?
A
causation
6
Q
What type of data does correlational analysis rely on?
A
quanitative data
7
Q
What can only be established with a correlation?
A
relationship
8
Q
What do correlation offer about variables?
A
an indication of the nature of the relationship between two co-variables
9
Q
Strengths of correlations?
A
- Used in investigative trends
- Inspire researchers to carry out experiment
- if not significant, then casual relationship can be cancelled
- procedures in correlation can be easily repeated = findings can be confirmed
10
Q
Weakness of correlations?
A
- variables are only simply measured
- people can assume causal relationships = design programmes on false premises
- causal connection may be due to intervening variables
- may lack external/internal validity
