Correlations and case studies

Question 1

What is a correlation?

Answer 1

A technique which measures the relationship between two continuous variables

Question 2

What is the correlation coefficient?

Answer 2

• A numerical value somewhere between -1 and +1
• A value of +1 represents a perfect positive correlation
• A value of -1 represents a perfect negative correlation
• The closer to +1 or -1, the stronger the relationship between co-variables

Question 3

How are correlations shown?

Answer 3

• Plotted on scattergrams, where each axis represents one variable

Question 4

What are case studies?

Answer 4

• An in-depth investigation, description and analysis of a single individual group, institution or event

Question 5

What do case studies involve?

Answer 5

• Focus on unusual or typical cases
• Produce qualitative data
• Use of interviews, bservations, questionnaires
• Often longitudinal, gather data from friends/family and individuals

Question 6

What are the strengths of case studies?

Answer 6

• Rich, detailed insights, shedding light on unusual forms of behaviour
• Contribute to our understanding of ‘typical’ brain functioning (HM)
• Generate hypotheses for future study
• Allow investigation of unique cases that may otherwise be unethical

Question 7

What are the limitations of case studies?

Answer 7

• Limited generalisation of findings due to small samples
• Info is based on subjective selection and interpretation of data
• Personal accounts may be prone to inaccuracy and memory decay= low validity
• Replication is difficult