Real-Life Examples of Correlational Research

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 🔍 Correlational research explores the relationship between two or more variables without the researcher manipulating them.
• 📈 Correlation does not equal causation. Just because two variables are related doesn't mean one causes the other. There could be other factors involved.
• ➕ Positive correlation: As one variable increases, the other also increases (e.g., study time and exam scores).
• ➖ Negative correlation: As one variable increases, the other decreases (e.g., hours of video games played and GPA).
• 🔢 Correlation coefficient ($r$): Measures the strength and direction of a linear relationship between two variables. It ranges from -1 to +1.
  • $r = +1$: Perfect positive correlation
  • $r = -1$: Perfect negative correlation
  • $r = 0$: No correlation
• 💡 Common methods include surveys, naturalistic observation, and archival data.

🧪 Practice Quiz

1. Which of the following is the BEST example of correlational research?
   1. A researcher manipulates the amount of sleep participants get and then measures their test performance.
   2. A researcher observes and records the relationship between ice cream sales and crime rates.
   3. A researcher randomly assigns participants to different treatment groups and measures their outcomes.
   4. A researcher conducts a double-blind study to determine the effectiveness of a new drug.
2. A study finds a strong positive correlation between the number of hours students study and their exam scores. What can be concluded from this?
   1. Studying more hours directly causes higher exam scores.
   2. Higher exam scores directly cause students to study more hours.
   3. There is a relationship between study hours and exam scores, but causation cannot be determined.
   4. There is no relationship between study hours and exam scores.
3. Which of the following correlation coefficients indicates the WEAKEST relationship between two variables?
   1. +0.85
   2. -0.60
   3. +0.10
   4. -0.92
4. A researcher notices that as the temperature increases, the number of people visiting the beach also increases. This is an example of what type of correlation?
   1. Negative correlation
   2. Positive correlation
   3. Zero correlation
   4. Spurious correlation
5. What is a major limitation of correlational research?
   1. It cannot be used to study real-world phenomena.
   2. It cannot establish cause-and-effect relationships.
   3. It requires manipulation of variables.
   4. It is not a valid research method.
6. A study finds a negative correlation between the amount of time spent playing video games and GPA. What does this mean?
   1. Playing video games causes a decrease in GPA.
   2. Higher GPA causes people to play fewer video games.
   3. As time spent playing video games increases, GPA tends to decrease.
   4. There is no relationship between video game time and GPA.
7. Which research method is MOST often used in correlational studies?
   1. Experiments
   2. Surveys
   3. Case studies
   4. Meta-analyses