EDU 702

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

CORRELATIONAL
RESEARCH
MARLINA BT ZUBAIRI
NORLIN BT ABD GHAFAR
FARADILLAH BT MD RAMLI
ZURIANA BT SAARI
Definition
 To identify the relationships between two or
more variables

 Relationship the range of score

on one variable is associated with the range
of score of the other variable
When to use
 As a first step prior to experimentation
 When experiments cannot be conducted
(e.g. for ethical reason)
 Data collected through :
- observations
- surveys and questionnaire
- archived information
Characteristics
 Variables cannot be manipulated

 Cannot prove a causal relationship

 Only examine the possibilities that one

variable might cause something to happen
Purpose
 Help us to understand related events,
conditions and behaviours : explanatory
studies
 To make predictions of how one variable
might predict another : prediction studies
 Variables used : i) predictor variable
ii)criterion variable
The procedure
1. Problem selection
 Based on experience or theory
 3 types of problems :
1. Is variable X related to variable Y?
2. How well does variable P predict variable
C?
3. What are the relationships among a large
no. of variables, and what predictions can
be made that are based on them?
2. Sample

? appropriate population
 < 30 = inaccurate estimate of the degree of
the relationship
 > 30 = provide meaningful results.
3. Instruments
 Choose appropriate instruments
 Must yield quantitative data.
 Administrating instruments – e.g.: test,
questionaires etc.
 Observation
 Must show evidence of validity
4. Data collection
 Explanatory study – short time needed to
collect data on both variables
 Prediction study – longer time needed to
measure the criterion variables compared to
prediction variables.
5. Data analysis and interpretation

 Correlation coefficient is produced when

variables are correlated.
 In decimals between 0.00 and +1.00 or -1.00.
Data analysis
 If closer to +1.00 or -1.00 = stronger
relationship
 If + sign = high scores on both variables.
 If – sign = high on one v but low on the other.
 If at / near 0.00 = no relationship exists
Data analysis

r scores range from -1 to +1

r= +1, perfect positive relation

example of a positive r: GPA and scores on SAT

r= -1, perfect negative relation

example of a negative r: drinking in college and GPA

r= 0, no relation
example of a near zero r: hair length and GPA
Examples of topic
 Example - Health psychologist is interested in
testing the claim that people with more friends
tend to be healthier.
 Example - Health psychologist described
surveys two groups of people: hospital patients
being treated for chronic diseases and healthy
community members.
Correlation example
 High Self-esteem (A) and GPA (B)

Is (A) related to (B)? Or is it the other way around? Or, are there
other factors that cause both (A) and (B)?

 Raw Data:
Name Self Esteem Score GPA
Tim 42 3.8
Bart 10 1.4
Kelsey 15 2.5
Kim 22 3.1
Correlation example
See scatter plot of data
Self-esteem and GPA data

3.5

2.5
GPA

2 Series1

1.5

0.5

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
self-esteem
Correlation example
 Two independent conducted studies found that
there is no causal relationship between these
two factors. They are correlated because both of
them are correlated to some other factors:
intelligence and family social status.

**Correlations do NOT tell us that one variable

CAUSES the other variable
Conclusion
 Strengths
– Can study a broad range of variables
– Can look at multiple variables at one time
– Large samples are easily obtained
 Weaknesses
– Relationships established are associational, not
causal
– Individuals not studied in-depth
– Potential problems with reliability and validity of self-
report measures