describe correlation variables
Correlation variables cannot be manipulated. They can only be measured. This means the cause and effect cannot be established
They investigate the likelihood of 2 variables being related
What is an experiment?
They involve the manipulation of one variable to see the effect on another. This allows the cause and effect to be established
What is the difference between a correlation and an experiment?
Experiments involve the manipulation of a variable whereas correlational variables cannot be manipulated so we can’t establish the cause and effect of them
What are the variables called in a correlational study?
Co-variables
What is correlation co-efficient?
Statistic that expresses the strength and direction of a correlation
What does the + or - represent in correlation coefficient
Direction of the correlation (pos or neg)
What is a positive correlation?
As one co-variable increases, so does the other
Perfect pos corr +1 (straight line up)
What is a negative correlation?
As one co-variable increases, the other decreases
Perfect neg corr -1 (straight line down)
What is zero correlation?
When there’s no relationship between two co-variables
(Random X’s on graph)
What does the number represent in correlation co-efficient ?
The strength of the direction
-The closer to one from zero, the stronger the correlation
What an alternative hypothesis
a hypothesis for a correlation
If the hypothesis is directional….
There will be wither a positive or negative correlation between co variable 1 and 2
If the hypothesis is non directional…
There will be a correlation between co variable 1 and 2
Can you interpret a scatter graph which shows a positive, negative or no correlation?
Yes or no?
Why can’t we say one co-variable causes the effect on the other co variable?
Because the cause and effect cannot be established so we don’t know which co-variable causes the other to change
Give 2 strengths off correlational research
-If two variables are correlated, we know the strength and direction of the association of the relationship- often a start point for further research
-It allows the researcher to study a relationship between variables that cannot be manipulated
Give 2 limitations of correlational research
Correlation doesn’t mean causation as cause and effect can’t be established
We don’t know which co-variable causes the other to change