correlations Flashcards
What is a correlation in psychological research?
A correlation is a statistical technique used to measure the relationship between two variables, showing how they are related but not necessarily causing one another.
What does a correlation coefficient indicate?
A correlation coefficient measures the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables. It ranges from -1 to +1, where +1 is a perfect positive correlation, -1 is a perfect negative correlation, and 0 indicates no relationship.
What does a positive correlation mean?
A positive correlation means that as one variable increases, the other also increases. For example, the more hours spent studying, the higher the exam score.
What does a negative correlation mean?
A negative correlation means that as one variable increases, the other decreases. For example, the more time spent watching TV, the lower the test scores might be.
What is the range of the correlation coefficient?
The correlation coefficient ranges from -1 to +1. A correlation of +1 indicates a perfect positive relationship, -1 indicates a perfect negative relationship, and 0 indicates no correlation.
What does a correlation coefficient of +0.8 indicate?
A correlation coefficient of +0.8 indicates a strong positive relationship between the two variables, with a high degree of association.
What does a correlation coefficient of -0.3 indicate?
A correlation coefficient of -0.3 indicates a weak negative relationship between the two variables, meaning there is a slight inverse association.
What does a correlation coefficient of 0 indicate?
A correlation coefficient of 0 indicates no relationship between the two variables, meaning changes in one variable do not predict changes in the other.
How is the strength of a correlation determined?
The strength of a correlation is determined by how close the correlation coefficient is to +1 or -1. The closer the value is to 1 (positive or negative), the stronger the relationship.
What is the difference between correlation and causation?
Correlation refers to a relationship between two variables, while causation means one variable directly causes the other to change. Correlation does not imply causation.
What is a perfect correlation?
A perfect correlation occurs when the correlation coefficient is either +1 or -1, meaning one variable completely predicts the other without any variation.
How would you interpret a correlation coefficient of +0.25?
A correlation coefficient of +0.25 indicates a weak positive relationship between the two variables, meaning there is a slight tendency for both variables to increase together.
How do you interpret a correlation coefficient of -0.75?
A correlation coefficient of -0.75 indicates a strong negative relationship, meaning as one variable increases, the other decreases in a consistent pattern.
Why is it important to report the correlation coefficient?
It is important to report the correlation coefficient because it quantifies the relationship between variables, helping researchers understand how strong or weak the association is.
Can a correlation coefficient be used to make predictions?
Yes, a correlation coefficient can be used to predict one variable from another if the relationship is strong and consistent, though it cannot confirm causality.
Why is it misleading to say that correlation implies causation?
It is misleading because correlation only shows that two variables are related, but it does not show that one variable causes the other to change. There could be other factors involved.
How can you interpret a correlation coefficient close to 0?
A correlation coefficient close to 0 suggests that there is little to no relationship between the two variables, meaning changes in one variable do not consistently relate to changes in the other.
What are some limitations of correlation analysis?
Limitations of correlation analysis include the inability to determine causality, the possibility of third-variable problems, and the potential for misleading interpretations if the data is not properly analyzed.
What type of research method is most commonly used for studying correlations?
Correlations are most commonly studied using observational research, where researchers measure the relationship between two naturally occurring variables without manipulating them.
Why is the correlation coefficient sometimes called ‘r’?
The correlation coefficient is often called ‘r’ because it represents the strength and direction of the linear relationship between two variables, where ‘r’ stands for ‘relationship’.
