Correlation

?
  • Created by: Evie :)
  • Created on: 13-03-22 15:33
What is correlation?
A method which works out the strength of any relationship between 2 variables
There is either a positive or negative correlation
1 of 26
What is a positive correlation?
As one variable increases so does the other
2 of 26
What is a negative correlation?
As one variable increases the other decreases
3 of 26
What is a spurious relationship
A mathematical relationship in which 2 events or variables have no direct casual connection
It may be wrongly inferred that they do, due to coincidence or the presence of a 3rd unseen factor ("common response variable"/ lurking variable")
4 of 26
Strengths of the correlational method
- Possible to make a prediction about 1 variable from another
- Can be used when it would be unethical or impractical to carry out an experiment
- can be used as a pointer for more detailed research (investigating casual relationships)
5 of 26
weaknesses of the correlational method
- Cannot assume cause and effect, no idea which variable may be affecting the other
There may be no link between variables or a link by a 3rd variable
Cause and effect could be coincidence
6 of 26
How can data using the correlational method be presented
On a scattergraph
7 of 26
Correlational hypothesis-

what is a one-tailed hypothesis?
one which states:
There will be a positive relationship between variable 1 and variable 2
8 of 26
What is a two tailed hypothesis?
One which states:
there will be a relationship between variable 1 and variable 2
9 of 26
What is a null hypothesis?
One which states:
There will be no relationship between variable 1 and variable 2
10 of 26
What is the reliability of a method of measurement?
This refers to how consistently it measures
11 of 26
what is internal reliability?
This refers to how consistently a method measures within itself
e.g, An IQ test made u of half easy and half hard questions , so anyone would score half marks
This method does not measure consistently, as qs are not consistent all way through
12 of 26
What is external reliability?
This refers to how consistently a method measures over time if it is repeated
Methods/measurements should give similar scores when repeated on same ppl under simular conditions
13 of 26
ways of assessing reliability:
What is the test- retest method?
Administrating the same test twice to see if the same results are obtained
This method assesses external reliability
14 of 26
What is the inter rater reliability?
When 2 researchers observe the same behaviour independently
15 of 26
What is the split half method?
This involves splitting a test in 2 halves and having the same participant do both halves
This method assesses internal reliability
16 of 26
what is validity?
this refers to whether a method of measurement measures what it is supposed to measure
17 of 26
What is internal validity?
this refers to whether a study's results were really due to the variables the researcher suggest were tested by their methodology
18 of 26
What is external validity?
This is the extent to which results from a study can be generalised beyond the study
e.g, can we generalise from the sample to a wider group
19 of 26
What are the threats to internal validity
experimenter bias
individual differences
order effects
unfamiliar task
demand characteristics
20 of 26
Ways of assessing validity:
What is face validity?
Checking if something looks like it will measure what it is supposed to
E.g, is an IQ test really measuring how intelligent someone is
21 of 26
What is construct validity?
Checking if the measures relate to the assumed characteristics of what is being assessed
E.g, A tape measure can measure length
22 of 26
What is concurrent validity?
When a test correlates well with a measure that has previously been validated
e.g, comparing test results between now and the past and the scores should be similar
23 of 26
What is criterion validity?
The extent to which a measure can predict the performance or behaviour of the measured thing
This includes concurrent validity
E.g, the extent to which GCSE results can predict A level results
24 of 26
what is population validity?
This refers to the extent to which the findings can be generalised to other populations of people
25 of 26
What are the 2 types of external validity?
Population validity
ecological validity
26 of 26

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What is a positive correlation?

Back

As one variable increases so does the other

Card 3

Front

What is a negative correlation?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What is a spurious relationship

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Strengths of the correlational method

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
View more cards

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Psychology resources:

See all Psychology resources »See all Data analysis resources »