Corelational research

Correlational Research

by Janet Waters
Research Design

In general, a correlational study is a quantitative method of research in which you have 2 or more quantitative variables from thesame group of subjects, & you are trying to determine if there is a relationship (or covariation) between the 2 variables (a similarity between them, not a difference between their means).Theoretically, any 2 quantitative variables can be correlated (for example, midterm scores & number of body piercings!) as long as you have scores on these variables from the same participants; however, it isprobably a waste of time to collect & analyze data when there is little reason to think these two variables would be related to each other.

Try to have 30 or more participants; this is important toincrease the validity of the research.

Your hypothesis might be that there is a positive correlation (for example, the number of hours of study & your midterm exam scores), or a negativecorrelation (for example, your levels of stress & your exam scores). A perfect correlation would be an r = +1.0 & -1.0, while no correlation would be r = 0. Perfect correlations would almost never occur;expect to see correlations much less than + or - 1.0. Although correlation can't prove a causal relationship, it can be used for prediction, to support a theory, to measure test-retest reliability, etc.Data collection:

You may collect your data through testing (e.g. scores on a knowledge test (an exam or math test, etc.), or psychological tests, numerical responses on surveys &questionnaires, etc. Even archival data can be used (e.g. Kindergarten grades) as long as it is in a numerical form.
Data Analysis:

With the use of the Excel program, calculating correlations is probablythe easiest data to analyze. In Excel, set up three columns: Subject #, Variable 1 (e.g. hours of study), & Variable 2 (e.g. exam scores). Then enter your data in these columns. Select a cell for the...