Correlational Research

1
Chapter 9

• Correlational Research

2
Correlation and Regression

• Correlation exists whenever two variables are
  associated or related
• Positive correlation direct
• Negative correlation inverse
• Scatterplots graph of participants scores
• Regression analyses making predictions

3
Interpreting correlations

• Causation
• Directionality A ? B B ? A
• Occur together
• A precedes B in time
• A causing B makes theoretical sense
• Other explanations for co-occurrence is ruled out
• Third Variables
• Partial Correlations

4
Correlational vs. Experimental

• Experimental research ? causation
• Correlational research ? no causation
• Survey research
• Comparing groups without showing causation (e.g.,
  participant variables)
• Archival research
• Case studies
• Etc.

5
Using Correlations

• The need for correlational research
• Practical grounds
• Unconcerned with causation
• Ethical concerns
• Varieties of correlational research
• Test development
• Personality and abnormal psychology
• Nature-nurture issue
• Preexisting conditions