RM5- Correlations

Question 1

what is a correlation?

Answer 1

a form of analysis to see the extent to which two different variables are related

Question 2

what is measured with correlations?

Answer 2

two covariables
-neither are controlled or manipulated by the researcher

Question 3

where must both variables being measured come from?

Answer 3

the same participant

Question 4

what are the two types of correlations?

Answer 4

positive and negative

Question 5

what is a positive correlation?

Answer 5

as variable 1 increases, variable 2 increases

Question 6

what is a negative correlation?

Answer 6

as variable 1 increases, variable 2 decreases

Question 7

how are correlations presented?

Answer 7

using a scatter graph

Question 8

how does a scatter graph present correlations?

Answer 8

has one covariable on the x-axis and the other on the y-axis
a straight line that best fits the points is plotted

Question 9

what are some types of correlations
(strength)

Answer 9

perfect, strong, weak

no correlation

Question 10

what do correlation coefficients measure?

Answer 10

the strength of a linear association between two covariables, producing a value between +1 and -1

Question 11

what is R= +1

Answer 11

perfect line for a positive correlation

Question 12

what is R= -1

Answer 12

perfect line for negative correlation

Question 13

R= 0

Answer 13

no correlation between the variables

Question 14

what must a hypothesis include?

Answer 14

both variables that the correlation is testing and the word significant

Question 15

directional hypothesis

Answer 15

they will say if the relationship will be positive or negative

Question 16

non-directional hypothesis

Answer 16

they will say the relationship between two covariables (difference)

Question 17

AO3
what do correlations allow us to investigate?

Answer 17

otherwise unethical situations

Question 18

AO3
what can correlations lead to….

Answer 18

new research, can be used as a starting point before committing to an experimental study
-carried out with relative ease
-therefore decide if new research should be carried out

Question 19

AO3
how do correlations control participant variables?

Answer 19

participant variables
-both sets of data come from the same participant, no individual differences
-high validity

Question 20

AO3
do correlations infer causation (cannot establish cause and effect)?

Answer 20

all correlations tell us whether a relationship exists between two co-variables
-they cannot tell us if one variable causes the other, its usefulness is therefore limited

Question 21

AO3
what validity issues do correlations have?

Answer 21

an untested variable could be impacting upon the relationship
(third variable problem)
-this draws inaccurate conclusions about the existing relationship