Research Designs Correlational

By Mike Rippy

Correlational Research Designs

Correlational

studies may be used to A. Show relationships between two variables there by showing a cause and effect relationship B. show predictions of a future event or outcome from a variable

Types of Correlation studies

1.

Observational Research e.g. class attendance and grades 2.Survey Research e.g. living together and divorce rate 3. Archival Research e.g.violence and economics

Advantages of the correlational method

1.

It allows the researcher to analyze the relationship among a large number of variables 2. Correlation coefficients can provide for the degree and direction of relationships

Planning a Relationship Study

Purpose to identify the cause and effects of important phenomena Method 1. Define the problem 2. Review existing literature 3. Select participants who can have measurable variables-reasonably homogeneous 4. Collect data-test, questionnaires, interviews, &etc. 5. Analysis of data

What do correlations measure?

Correlations measure the association, or covariation of two or more dependent variables. Example: Why are some students aggressive? Hypothesis: Aggression is learned from modeling Test: Look for associations between aggressive behavior and

Interpreting Correlations
Scattergram-

a pictorial representation of correlations between two variables Use of a scattergram An x and y axes are produced perpendicular to each other Results of correlates are plotted The relationship of these plots are interpreted

Interpreting Correlations continued

The amount of correlation is expressed as r= The r scores can range from 1 to 1 If r= 1 there is said to be perfect correlation with the other variable An r score of 0 shows no relationship If r= -1 there is a lack of relationship between the two variables Anything between 1 and 1 shows a varying degrees of relationships

Interpreting Correlations Continued

The expression r squared = the percent of variation accounted for between the relations between two variables like x and y this is called the explained variance Example: correlation between G.P.A. scores and A.C.T. if r=.6 then r squared =.36 so the per cent of accuracy is 36% in predicting A.C.T. scores from the person G.P.A. A complete interpretation would include attempts to explain nonsignificant results

Other measures of interest in Correlational Studies

R

is multiple correlation (0 to 1) (b) is regression weight which is a multiplier added to a predictor variable to maximize predictive value B is beta weight which is used in a multiple regression equation to establish the equation in a standard score form

Correlation and Causality

If there is no association between two variables, then there is no causal connection Correlation does not always prove causation a third variable may have the causal relation example: Women surveyed during pregnancy that smoked correlated with arrest of their sons 34 years later. Is a third variable the cause. Other variables- socioeconomic status, age, fathers or mothers criminal history, Parents psychiatric problems

Use of causal-comparative approach

However,

when comparing two variables sometimes inference may be made that one causes the other. Only an experiment can provide a definitive conclusion of a cause and effect relationship.

Limitations of Relationship Studies

Researcher

tend to break down complex patterns into two simple components. Researcher identify complex components that interest them but could probably be achieved in many different ways.

Prediction Studies
A

variable whose value is being used to predict is known as the predictor variable A variable whose value is being predicted is the criterion variable. The aim of prediction studies is to forecast academic and vocational success.

Ways to fix problems of correlational Design

Add

more variables to the model Replicate design Convert question to the experimental design

Types of Information provided in a prediction study

The

extent to which a criterion pattern can be predicted Data for developing a theory for determining criterion patterns Evidence about predicting the validity of a test

Basic Design of Prediction Studies

The problem-reflect the type of information you are trying to predict Selection of research participants- draw from population most pertinent to your study Data collection-predictor variables must be measured before criterion patterns occur Data Analysis- correlate each predictor variable with the criterion

Definitions useful in Prediction Studies

Bivariate correlational statistics- express the magnitude of relationships between two variables Multiple regression- uses scores on two or more predictor variables to predict performance of criterion variables. The purpose is to determine which variables can be combined to form the best prediction of each criterion variable.

Multiple Regression Facts

Too

large of a sample may cause faulty data to occur 15 to 54 people should be sampled per variable used.

Statistical Factors in Prediction Research

Prediction

research in useful for practical purposes Definitions- selection ratio- proportion of the available candidates that must be selected Base rate- percentage of candidates who would be selected without a selection process

Statistical Factors in Prediction Research cont.

Taylor-Russell Tables- a combination of three factors; predictive validity, selection ratio, and base rate (If these three factors are present the researcher should be able to predict the proportion of candidates that will be successful) Shrinkage- The tendency for predictive validity to decrease when research is repeated

Techniques used to analyze Bivariates

Product-Moment

Correlation- Used when both variables are expressed as continuous scores Correlation Ratio- Used to detect nonlinear relationships

Part and Partial Correlation

This is an application employed to rule out the influence of one or more variables upon the criterion in order to clarify the role of the other variables.

Multivariate correlational Statistics

These

are used when examining the interrelationship of three or more variables.

Correlation Coefficient
It measures the magnitude of the relationship between a criterion variable and some combination of predictor variables Correlation coefficient of determination equals R squared. This expresses the amount of variance that can be explained by a predictor variable of a combination of predictor variables

Correlation Coefficient Determinates cont.

R

can range from 0.00 to 1.00. The larger R is the better the prediction of the criterion variable. There is more statistical significance if the R squared value is significantly different from zero.

Canonical Correlations
Is

when there is a combination of several predictor variables used to predict a combination of several criterion variables

Path Analysis
Is

a method of measuring the validity of theories about causal relationships between two for more variables that have been studied in a correlational research design

Steps of Path Anaylsis

Formulate a hypothesis that causally link the variables of interest Select or develop measures of the variables that are specified by the hypothesis Compute statistics that show the strength of relationship between each pair of variables that are causally linked in the hypothesis Interpret to determine if they support the theory

Correlation Matrix
Is

an arrangement of row ad columns that make it easy to see how measured variables in a set correlate with other variables in the set

Structural Equation Modeling

Is

a method of multivariate analysis that test causal relationships between variables and supplies more reliable and valid measures than path analysis It is also called LISREL which stands for Analysis of Linear Structural Relationships

Differential Analysis
This

is subgroup analysis in relationship studies This application is used when the researcher believes that correlated variables might be influenced by a particular factor. Then subjects from the sample are selected who have this characteristic

Moderator Variables in a prediction Study

There

are times when a certain test is more valid in predicting a subgroups behavior. The variable that is used in this instance is called a moderator variable