Correlations - Research Methods Flashcards
Define a correlation:
a technique that allows researchers to analyse the strength of a relationship between two variables.
what is a technique that allows researchers to analyse the strength of a relationship between two variables?
a correlation
What are the variables in a correlation called?
co-variables
why are the variables in a correlation called what they are?
they are variables that can be plotted against each other to show the type of relationship between them.
how are correlations displayed?
using a scatter diagram AKA scattergram
what is a scatter diagram used to display?
correlations
when are correlations used?
when it would be impractical to manipulate the variables in an experiment
what are the 3 strengths types of correlations?
strong, medium, weak
define a positive correlation:
as one co-variable increases, the other co-variable increases
define a negative correlation:
as one co-variable increases, the other co-variable decreases
What are some strengths of correlations?
They are useful to examine relationships between many variables; are cheaper & less time-consuming than experimental research; can be used when investigating a topic that could not be studied experimentally due to ethics; as they compare co-variables, rather than manipulate behaviour, they are less interventionist and more ethical.
What is a major weakness of correlations?
cause and effect cannot be established
