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Correlational Research: Elisha Gay C. Hidalgo, RND

Correlational research examines the relationship between two or more variables without manipulating them. It aims to determine if changes in one variable are associated with changes in another. Correlational studies use surveys, observations, or archival data to measure variables like age, gender, test scores in their natural state. Researchers then calculate correlations to quantify relationships and identify predictors, but cannot prove causation. The goal is to predict one variable based on another and explore possible causal links for future experimental research.

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599 views14 pages

Correlational Research: Elisha Gay C. Hidalgo, RND

Correlational research examines the relationship between two or more variables without manipulating them. It aims to determine if changes in one variable are associated with changes in another. Correlational studies use surveys, observations, or archival data to measure variables like age, gender, test scores in their natural state. Researchers then calculate correlations to quantify relationships and identify predictors, but cannot prove causation. The goal is to predict one variable based on another and explore possible causal links for future experimental research.

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inkpen56789
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Correlational Research

Elisha Gay C. Hidalgo, RND


Correlational Research
DEFINITION
What is a Correlational Research or Study?
. In general, 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 (a similarity
between them, not a difference between their
means). Theoretically, any 2 quantitative
variables can be correlated as long as you have
scores on these variables from the same
participants; however, it is probably a waste of
time to collect & analyze data when there is little
reason to think these two variables would be
related to each other.
What is a Correlational Research or Study?
A research method that examines how variables are naturally related in the
real world, without any attempt by the researcher to alter or change them. 
The basic research question for correlation research is - What is the
relationship between two or more variables for a given set of subjects.
 Correlational studies can be appropriate to study the variables that
cannot be manipulated or controlled because of their uncontrollable
property or the ethical problems to control them.
Examples of uncontrollable variables
birth order
sex
age

Examples of variables that cause ethical issues in controlling


Malnutrition
physical disabilities
Types of Correlational Research:
Naturalistic Survey Archival
Observatio
n Method Research
Observe and
● ●
Inexpensive and ●
Analyze
record the quick, can cover historical records
large population ●
Inexpensive
natural ●
Dependent on ●
Questions the
environment survey reliability of the
without respondents and method used for
interference questionnaire recording
The Design of Correlational
Research Studies
Purpose/Goal of Correlational
Research
Try to have 30 or more participants; this is important to
increase the validity of the research.
Your hypothesis might be that there is a positive
correlation (for example, the number of hours of study
& your midterm exam scores), or a negative correlation
(for example, your levels of stress & your exam scores).
A perfect correlation would be an r = +1.0 & -1.0, while
no correlation would be r = 0. Perfect correlations would
almost never occur; expect to see correlations much less
than + or - 1.0. Although correlation can't prove a causal
relationship, it can be used for prediction, to support a
theory, to measure test-retest reliability, etc.
Data Sources Research Tools
Raw scores such as Standardized tests are
standardized test scores. the most common tools
Measures such as grade for doing correlational
point averages. studies.
Dichotomous data , data Direct measurement
which has two techniques have also
possibilities such as been used for
male/female or pass/fail. specialized studies such
as monitoring student
pulse rates to determine
stress on test
performance.
Presentation of your
results in a Research
Data Analysis: Report:
Use the standard APA style lab report. In
 Excel has a statistical the Introduction, briefly review past research &
theory in your topic question (e.g. summarize current
function. It calculates research on stress & academic achievement). Use
Pearson Product Moment APA referencing style to cite your sources. Then in
the Method section, present a general description of
correlations. the group of participants (their number, mean age,
gender, etc.) in the Participants section, any
materials you may have used (e.g. tests, surveys, etc.)
 Statistical software in the Materials section, & in the Procedure section,
note that your general research strategy was a
program (SPSS or correlational study, & describe your methods of data

NCSS/PASS) for personal collection (e.g. survey, test, etc.).


In the Results section of the report, present your

computers calculates correlation statistic in both a table & in words, & note
whether or not it is significant. If you have more than
correlations 2 variables to correlate, present a correlational
matrix, showing the correlation between each of the
variables. In the following example, 4 variables were
correlated in one study. The correlation between
Exam scores & hours of study, for example, is r =
+.67, p <.01. This indicates a significant positive
relationship between the number of hours of study &
subsequent exam scores.
DIRECTION:
In a positive correlation, In a negative
as the values of one of correlation, as the values
the variables increase, of one of the variables
the values of the second increase, the values of
variable also increase. the second variable
Likewise, as the value of decrease. Likewise, as
one of the variables the value of one of the
decreases, the value of variables decreases, the
the other variable also value of the other
decreases. variable increases.
Scatterplots and Correlations:

Positive Correlation Negative Correlation


No Correlation
Purpose of Correlational Studies:
The correlation is a way to
measure how associated or
related two variables are. The
researcher looks at things that
already exist and determines
if and in what way those
things are related to each
other. The purpose of doing
correlations is to allow us to
make a prediction about one
variable based on what we
know about another variable. 
The Goal of Correlational
Research
The goal of correlational research is to find out whether one
or more variables can predict other variables.  Correlational
research allows us to find out what variables may be
related.   However, the fact that two things are related or
correlated does not mean there is a causal relationship.  It is
important to make a distinction between correlation and
causation.  Two things can be correlated without there being
a causal relationship.
The important thing to remember is that for correlational
research we are just looking at the degree of relationship
between the variables and not the effect of one variable on
another variable.
In Summary:
Correlational research is used to explore co-
varying relationships between two or
more variables. A simple definition of a
co-varying relationship is as one variable
changes so does the other variable(s). The
purpose of correlational research is to:
to identify variables that relate to one each
other
to make predictions of one variable from
another
to examine possible cause and effect
relationships between one variable and
another.

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