research methods: non-experimental methods (correlational-analysis)

Question 1

what is meant by a correlation?

Answer 1

.a relationship

Question 2

what is meant by a correlation co-efficient?

Answer 2

.a score between +1 and -1 illustrates the strength and direction of a relationship between co-variables
.closer to +1 or -1 the stronger the relationship
.the positive or negative sign tells us the direction

Question 3

what type of graph is used for a correlational-analysis?

Answer 3

.scattergram

Question 4

how does a scattergram work?

Answer 4

.correlations are plotted on the graph
.one co-variable is on the x-axis and one is on the y-axis

Question 5

how many types of correlations are there?

Answer 5

3

Question 6

what are the types of correlation?

Answer 6

.positive correlation -co-variables rise or fall together
.negative correlation -one variable rises and the other falls
.zero correlation -no relationship between the two variables

Question 7

how is a correlation different to an experiment?

Answer 7

.in an experiment the researcher manipulates an IV and records the effect on the DV whereas
in a correlation there is no manipulation of variables and so cause and effect cannot be established
.in a correlation, the influence of EVs is not controlled, so it may be that a third ‘untested’ variable is causing the relationship

Question 8

what are the strengths to using a correlational-analysis?

Answer 8

.useful starting point for research -may suggest hypothesis for future research
.relatively economical -no controlled environment means correlations are less time consuming than experiments

Question 9

what are the negatives to using a correlational-analysis?

Answer 9

.no cause and effect -direction of causality not clear or there may be an intervening third variable that explains a relationship