Correlations

Question 1

Correlation (Definition:)

Answer 1

The interdependence of variable quantities.

Question 2

Co-factors (Definition:)

Answer 2

The variables which their correlational relationship is being studied.

Question 3

What are the three types of correlation?

Answer 3

• Positive correlation
• Negative correlation
• Zero correlation

Question 4

Which type of graph do we plot correlations on?

Answer 4

Scattergrams.

Question 5

Which type of correlation is being described?

As one co-variable increases, the other co-variable increases.

Answer 5

Positive correlation.

Question 6

Which type of correlation is being described?

As one co-variable increases, the other co-variable decreases.

Answer 6

Negative correlation.

Question 7

Which type of correlation is being described?

When there is no correlation between the co-variables.

Answer 7

Zero correlation.

Question 8

What is the correlation coefficient for a perfect positive correlation?

Answer 8

+1.

Question 9

What is the correlation coefficient for a perfect negative correlation?

Answer 9

-1.

Question 10

What is the correlation coefficient for no correlation whatsoever?

Answer 10

0.

Question 11

What is a correlation?

Answer 11

A mathmatical technique in which the researcher investigates an association between two variables.

Question 12

What is a co-variable?

Answer 12

The variables investigated within a correlation.

Question 13

What is a scattergram?

Answer 13

A graph in which correlations are plotted on.

Question 14

T / F:

- Correlations are a method of analysis rather than a research method.

Answer 14

True - (but it is easier to say ‘correlations’ than ‘studies with correlational analysis’.)

Question 15

Why are co-variables not called the IV and DV?

Answer 15

Because correlation involves the association between variables rather than the a cause an effect relationship.

Question 16

On a scattergram, what forms each of the axis?

Answer 16

One co-variable is on the x-axis and the other is on the y-axis.

Question 17

What is the difference between a correlation and experiment?

Answer 17

In an experiment the researcher controls or manipulates the IV to measure the effect on the DV, whilst a correlation involves no manipulation of the IV and therefore there is no way to establish a cause-and-effect relationship.

Question 18

What is meant by the term intervening variables?

Answer 18

It is a hypothetical variable used to explain causal links between other variables.

Question 19

AO3 - Strengths.

Answer 19

• Useful preliminary tool for research.
• Relatively quick and economical to carry out.
• Secondary data can be used.

Question 20

AO3 - Weaknesses.

Answer 20

• Correlation does not equal causation.
• Third variable problem.
• Easily misused or misinterpreted.

Question 21

AO3 - Correlation does not equal causation.

Answer 21

Correlations cannot demonstrate cause an effect relationships as we don’t know which co-variable is causing change in the other. This means they cannot be used to make justified conclusions.

Question 22

AO3 - Third variable problem.

Answer 22

It may be the case that an untested variable is causing the relationship between the two co-variables, this intervening variable causes the third variable problem.

Question 23

AO3 - Data misuse or misinterpretation.

Answer 23

Largely due to the third variable problem and correlation not equalling causation, data is often misused and misinterpreted which leads to the formation of ‘casual conclusions’.

Question 24

What is a positive correlation?

Answer 24

As one co-variable increases, the other also increases.

Question 25

What is a negative correlation?

Answer 25

As one co-variable increases, the other decreases.

Question 26

What is a zero correlation?

Answer 26

There is no relationship between co-variables.

Question 27

What type of correlation is this:

The more aggressive the parents, the more aggressive the children are, (1 mark).

Answer 27

Positive correlation.

Question 28

What type of correlation is this:

The hotter the temperature, the fewer clothes people wear, (1 mark).

Answer 28

Negative correlation.

Question 29

What type of correlation is this:

The fewer sweets eaten, the fewer fillings needed, (1 mark).

Answer 29

Positive correlation.

Question 30

What type of correlation is this:

The colder the weather, the higher people’s fuel bills, (1 mark).

Answer 30

Negative correlation.

Question 31

What type of correlation is this:

The more people exercise, the less their risk of heart disease, (1 mark).

Answer 31

Negative correlation.

Question 32

What type of correlation is this:

More sociable people have more friends, (1 mark).

Answer 32

Positive correlation.

Question 33

What type of correlation is this:

The fewer hours of daylight, the more depressed people there are, (1 mark).

Answer 33

Negative correlation.

Question 34

What type of correlation is this:

The more films you watch, the more interesting you are, (1 mark).

Answer 34

Positive correlation.

Question 35

What is meant by a curvelinear relationship?

Answer 35

A more complex relationship than positive or negative where a moderate level of the IV will cause an optimal DV.

Question 36

What is a famous example of a curvelinear relationship?

Answer 36

Yerkes and Dodson law of arousal ‘inverted-U’.