RM 3: correlations (BP)

Question 1

Strengths

Answer 1

1) Correlations can reveal unexpected relationships between variables, which can guide further research (e.g. aggression and responses to stimuli).Therefore useful way to conduct preliminary analysis on data as weak correlations help rule out causality, while strong ones suggest a possible causal link worth exploring.
2) Correlation indicates the direction (positive/negative) and strength of a relationship, shown through the correlation coefficient. This provides a precise numerical measure of variable relationships.
3) They are useful when experimental manipulation is unethical or impractical, helping researchers explore complex relationships and serving as a powerful exploratory tool.

Question 2

Weaknesses

Answer 2

1) No cause-and-effect – Correlation shows a relationship but cannot prove causation. There may be intervening variables explaining the link.
e.g. Temperature may explain the positive correlation between forest fires and ice cream sales.
2) No direction of effect – Correlations don’t show which variable causes the other.
e.g. Aggressiveness and violent video watching may be linked, but we can’t tell if one causes the other or if it’s the reverse.