Correlational Method of Research

What does correlation mean?

In correlational research, variables are manipulated and controlled.

What does a scatterplot represent?

What does a correlation coefficient value of r = +.73 indicate?

What does a negative correlation coefficient signify?

The correlation coefficient usually falls between _____ and _____

What does a coefficient of .50 indicate?

Pearson r is the most common correlation coefficient used for nominal scales.

What do you need to perform after calculating the correlation coefficient?

Correlational Method of Research

Researchers do not manipulate or control variables
Naturally occurring changes in two variables are measured
Measures the relationship between two variables
Correlations allow us to predict one variable from another
A scatterplot visually represents correlational data, each dot represents the value of two variables for a person

Correlation Coefficient

Allows us to measure the strength and direction of a relationship
Uses a number between 0 and 1.00, 0 means no relationship and 1.00 means a perfect relationship
Positive sign (+) means variables increase (or decrease) together
Negative sign (-) means variables change in opposite directions. As one variable increases, the other one decreases
Example: r = -.29 indicates a weak negative correlation between bullying and self-esteem, meaning as bullying increases, self-esteem decreases
The most common correlation coefficient is the Pearson r

Linearity

Relationships can be linear or curvilinear
Pearson r only applies to linear relationships
Other statistics apply to curvilinear relationships

Restriction of Range

When only a narrow range of scores is used for one or both variables
Can make it difficult to accurately assess the correlation

This quiz explores the correlational method of research in psychology, focusing on how researchers measure relationships between variables. It covers concepts such as correlation coefficients, the strength of relationships, and the use of scatterplots for visual representation. Test your understanding of how correlations can predict outcomes in various contexts.