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Universities and private research firms around the globe are constantly conducting studies that uncover fascinating findings about the world and the people in it. Correlational research investigates the relationship between two variables and how they interact with one another. Correlation research is both popular and useful in many scientific studies, particularly in the health and social sciences. As with most kinds of research, though, there are both pros and cons to correlation studies. Show
Explore this article1 Experimentation and CorrelationCorrelation is one of two major means of conducting a study. The other is experimentation. In most cases, experimentation is preferred because the experimenter is able to manipulate the variable of interest and directly measure the outcome. For example, a researcher looking at the influence of rowing on weight loss can determine the exact time and technique of rowing and then measure the outcome after a set amount of time; also, the researcher is able to control for extraneous variables that could affect the outcome. Correlational research, on the other hand, has no such control. 2 Principles of Correlation ResearchCorrelation measures the relationship between two variables. Unlike in experimentation, the relationship is observed in a more natural environment. There's no experimenter to control variables; rather, variables interact outside of the laboratory. Because there's no experimenter to control how variables interact, no correlational study can determine how a phenomenon is caused. This has led to the important mantra that correlation doesn't necessarily show causation. Nonetheless, for broad but still meaningful observations, correlative findings can provide great insight. 3 Advantages of Correlation ResearchCorrelational research allows researchers to collect much more data than experiments. Furthermore, because correlational research usually takes place outside of the lab, the results tend to be more applicable to everyday life. Another benefit of correlational research is that it opens up a great deal of further research to other scholars. When researchers begin investigating a phenomenon or relationship for the first time, correlational research provides a good starting position. It allows researchers to determine the strength and direction of a relationship so that later studies can narrow the findings down and, if possible, determine causation experimentally.
4 Disadvantages of Correlation ResearchCorrelation research only uncovers a relationship; it cannot provide a conclusive reason for why there's a relationship. A correlative finding doesn't reveal which variable influences the other. For example, finding that wealth correlates highly with education doesn't explain whether having wealth leads to more education or whether education leads to more wealth. Reasons for either can be assumed, but until more research is done, causation can't be determined. Also, a third, unknown variable might be causing both. For instance, living in the state of New York can lead to both wealth and education.
About the AuthorMark Filipowich is a freelance writer in London, Ontario. He began writing in 2006 and also serves as an editor for various print and online publications. Filipowich holds a B.A. in English and psychology from the University of Western Ontario, where he contributed to the campus newspaper, "The Gazette."
Correlational research is useful because it allows us to discover the strength and direction of relationships that exist between two variables. However, correlation is limited because establishing the existence of a relationship tells us little about cause and effect. What are the weaknesses of a correlational study?A weakness of correlational studies is that they can harbor biases due to self-selection into groups being compared. Correlational studies can be costly, but often they are not. They are less artificial than studies involving interventions, and are often reasonably practical and manageable to implement. What are the strengths of correlation?A correlation coefficient measures the strength of that relationship. Calculating a Pearson correlation coefficient requires the assumption that the relationship between the two variables is linear. The relationship between two variables is generally considered strong when their r value is larger than 0.7. What is a strength of correlational study?Correlational research can help us understand the complex relationships between a lot of different variables. This type of research allows us to make predictions, and can tell us if two variables are not related, and thus searching for a cause-effect relationship between the two is a huge waste of time. … What are the benefits of a correlational study?Another benefit of correlational research is that it opens up a great deal of further research to other scholars. It allows researchers to determine the strength and direction of a relationship so that later studies can narrow the findings down and, if possible, determine causation experimentally. Why are correlational studies bad?Limitations of Correlational Studies For example, researchers might perform a correlational study that suggests there is a relationship between academic success and a person’s self-esteem. However, the study cannot show that academic success changes a person’s self-esteem. What is the largest disadvantage of correlational research?What are the major disadvantages of correlational research? … Research results are unlikely to be due to chance. What is the problem with correlational research?A problem with correlation is that the variables you are interested in are merely interacting with each other. They are not necessarily causing one another. So whenever you are using a correlation, it is inaccurate to say variable A causes variable B. What are the strengths of research?
Why is it important to know strengths and weaknesses of a research?Knowing your own strengths and weaknesses gives you a better understanding of yourself and how you function. … Knowing your weaknesses gives you a clearer understanding of things that may be holding you back, and you can then work around finding ways to not let your weaknesses pull you behind. How do you know if a study is correlational?If the researcher randomly assigned some participants to make daily to-do lists and others not to, then it is an experiment. If the researcher simply asked participants whether they made daily to-do lists, then it is a correlational study. How do you know if it is a strong or weak correlation?The Correlation Coefficient When the r value is closer to +1 or -1, it indicates that there is a stronger linear relationship between the two variables. A correlation of -0.97 is a strong negative correlation while a correlation of 0.10 would be a weak positive correlation. What’s a strong positive correlation?A positive correlation—when the correlation coefficient is greater than 0—signifies that both variables move in the same direction. … The relationship between oil prices and airfares has a very strong positive correlation since the value is close to +1. What is a perfect positive correlation?A perfectly positive correlation means that 100% of the time, the variables in question move together by the exact same percentage and direction. A positive correlation can be seen between the demand for a product and the product’s associated price. … A positive correlation does not guarantee growth or benefit. When would you use a correlational study?
What are the weaknesses of correlation?The disadvantages of correlational research include no cause and effect, results can find no inferences, and the possibility of a confounding factor.
What is a major weakness of correlational studies quizlet?1. All correlation shows a relationship, or a lack of a relationship, between two variables. 2. If you are trying to find out cause and effect you cannot accomplish this correlation research because you don't know which variable preceded the other in time.
What is a disadvantage of correlational research quizlet?Disadvantages of correlational studies. Impossible to make cause-effect conclusions, possibility of a third variable which is a major limitation in correlational studies, sometimes it is easier to identify a pattern to the results when presented graphically (eg.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of a correlational study?Strengths and weaknesses of correlation. |
