definition and explanation of correlational research method

1. CORRELATIONAL
RESEARCH
ADILA FAROOQI

2. DIFINITION
• A correlation refers to a relationship
between two variables. When two
variables are correlated, it simply means
that as one variable changes, so does the
other.

3. A CORELATION CAN BE …
POSITIVE:
means that the variables move in the
same direction.
E.g :As a student's study time
increases, so does his test average.
NEGATIVE:
means that the variable moves in the
opposite direction .
e.g As one exercises more, his body
weight becomes less.

4. Examples of positive and
negative relationships

5. HISTORY Karl Pearson introduced modern
correlation techniques in 1895 at a
Royal Society meeting in London.

6. EXPLANATION
A correlational study is a quantitative method of
research in which you have 2 or more quantitative
variables from the same group of subjects, & you are trying
to determine if there is a relationship (or covariation)
between the 2 variables . Theoretically, any 2 quantitative
variables can be correlated as long as you have scores on
these variables from the same participants.

7. BASIC QUESTION OF THIS RESEARCH
What is the relationship
between two or more
variables for a given set
of subjects.

8. EXAMPLES
• relationship between high I.Q
and high G.P.A
• relationship between
unemployment and increased rate
of suicide.

9. TYPES OF CORRELATIONL RESEARCH
NATURAL OBSERVATION SURVEY RESEARCH ARCHIVAL RESEARCH.

10. NATURAL
OBSERVATION
is a research method commonly used
by psychologists and other social
scientists. This technique involves
observing involves studying the
spontaneous behavior of participants
in natural surroundings. The
researcher simply records what they
see in whatever way they can.

11. ADVANTAGES
• Can inspire ideas
for further research
• Option if lab
experiment not available
• View variables in
natural setting

12. DISADVANTAGES
•CAN BE TIME-
CONSUMING AND
EXPENSIVE
•EXTRANEOUS
VARIABLES CAN'T BE
CONTROLLED
•NO SCIENTIFIC
CONTROL OF
VARIABLES
•SUBJECTS MIGHT
BEHAVE DIFFERENTLY
IF AWARE OF BEING
OBSERVED

13. SURVEY RESEARCH
It involves random sampling of
the variables or the subjects in
the research in which the
participants fill a questionnaire
centered about interest.

14. ADVANTAGES
• Cheap, easy, and
fast
Can collect large
amounts of data in a
short amount of time
• Flexible

15. DISADVANTAGES
• Results can be
affected by poor survey
questions
Results can be
affected by
unrepresentative
sample
•Outcomes can be
affected by participants

16. ARCHIVAL RESEARCH
research involving primary sources
held in an archives, a Special
Collections research involving primary
sources held in an archives, a Special
Collections library, or other repository

17. ADVANTAGES
Archival research minimizes the response
biases of subjects because the researcher
is not present while the data is recorded.
Archival data is very plentiful and has
already been collected.
This makes it easier and often less costly
than alternative research methods

18. DISADVANTAGES
•CAN BE UNRELIABLE •INFORMATION MIGHT BE
MISSING
•NO CONTROL OVER DATA
COLLECTION METHODS

19. CHARACTERISTICS
A correlation describes
three characteristics of
a relationship.
The direction (positive
/ negative)of the
relationship.
The form (linear/
nonlinear) of the
relationship.
The consistency or
strength (magnitude)
of the relationship.

20. STEPS
SELECTING A
PROBLEM
CHOOSING A SAMLE
SIZE
SELECT OR
DEVELOP
INSTRUMENTS
COLLECT AND
ANALYZE DATA
INTERPRET DATA

21. APPLICATIONS OF THE
CORRELATIONAL STRATEGY
PREDICTION (SAT & GPA) RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY
(TEST & RETEST)
EVALUATING THEORIES (IQ
AND MATH)

22. ADVANTAGES
Correlational studies tend to have high external validity.
allow researchers an opportunity to investigate variables that would be
impossible or unethical to manipulate.
can identify variables and describe relationships between variables that
might suggest further investigation using the experimental strategy to
determine cause- and- effect relationships.

23. WEAKNESSES
The third- variable problem.
A correlational study does not determine which
variable is the cause and which is the effect.
Correlational studies tend to have low internal
validity.