Correlations Flashcards
A strength of correlational research is that it is easier to carry out than experimental research.
E – Unlike experimental research, which requires collecting primary data and then gathering the data using carefully controlled conditions, correlational research can be carried out on secondary data which already exists (e.g., from government reports). This makes it easier to carry out.
A limitation of correlational research is that correlations do not show causation
This is because of issues like a third variable problem. It may be that there’s no causal relationship between the existing variables. For example, there is likely to be a positive correlation between the number of days people wear shorts each year and the number of ice creams they consume each year. However, this correlation is not because wearing shorts causes people to eat ice creams or eating ice creams causes people to wear shorts. Rather because, hot weather (a third variable) causes changes in both of these variables.
