EDU 702 RESEACH METHODOLOGY

CORRELATIONAL & SURVEY RESEARCH

MOHD FIRDAUS BIN ABDUL AZIZ 2013204736MOHAMAD SHANIZAM BIN JASMANI 2013475344ZURA BINTI IBERAHIM 2013458564FARAH IZYAN BT SHAMSURI 2013486496NOOR HASMIDA BINTI MOHD KHAIR 2013895956

CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH

Definition

The relationships among two or more variables are studied without any attempt to influence them.

Investigate the possibility of relationships between only two variables, although investigations of more than two variables are common.

A form of descriptive research because it describes an existing relationship between variables.

PURPOSES OF CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH

To help explain important human behaviors or to predict likely outcomes.

PREDICTION STUDIES

Is done when there is already a hypothesis as to why something is happening. Questions and tests are designed to support that hypotheses, and prove if it is correct or not. It usually performed in relation to marketing or when studying social phenomenon. For example, the current belief that smoking causes lung cancer, although based in part on experimental studies of animals, rests heavily on correlational evidence of the relationship between frequency of smoking and incidence of lung cancer.

Explanatory Studies

If a relationship of sufficient magnitude exists between the two variables, it becomes possible to predict a score on one variable if a score on the other variable is known. For example, high school grades are highly related to college grades. We would predict that a person with a high GPA in high school would be likely to have a high GPA in college.

PROBLEM SELECTION

Correlational study should be based on a sound rationale growing out of experience or theory.

Clarity in defining variables will avoid many problems later. In general, three major types of problems are the focus of correlational studies and one of the example is, “what are the relationships among a large number of variables, and what predictions can be made that are based on them?”

SAMPLE AND INSTRUMENTS

The minimum acceptable sample size for a correlational study is considered by most researchers to be no less than 30.

Samples larger than 30 are much more likely to provide meaningful results.

Instruments used to measure the two or more variables involved in a correlational study may take any one of a number of form, but they must yield quantitative data.

Most correlational studies involve the administration of some type of instrument and that is tests, questionnaires and so on, and sometimes observation.

DESIGN AND PROCEDURES

Two or more scores are obtained from each individual in the sample, one score for each variable of interest.

The pairs of scores are then correlated, and the resulting correlation coefficient indicates the degree of relationship between the variables.

1. Problem Selection

There are 3 major types of problems: Is variable X related to variable Y? How well does variable P predict variable C? What are the relationship among a large number

of variables and what predictions can be made?

2. Sample Should be selected carefully and if possible,

randomly Not less than 30

Basic Steps in Correlational Research

BASIC STEPS IN CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH

3. Instruments Most correlational studies involve the administration of

some types of instruments (tests, questionnaire and so on)

4. Design and Procedures Design used quite straightforward

5. Data Collection Data on both variables will usually be collected in a short

time Instruments used are administered in a single session or

two sessions

6. Data Analysis and Interpretation

THREATS TO INTERNAL VALIDITY IN CORRELATIONAL RESEARCHThere are some threats identified in conducting

correlational research:

1. Subject Characteristics Individual or groups have two or more characteristics; might

be a cause of variation in the other two variables.

2. Location Location is different for different subject One location may be more comfortable compared to others

3. Instrumentation Instrument decay; care must be taken to ensure the

observers don’t become tired, bored or inattentive Data collector characteristics; different gender, age or

ethnicity may affect specific response

THREATS TO INTERNAL VALIDITY IN CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH

4. Testing Experience of responding to the first instrument

may influence subject responses to the second instrument

5. Mortality Loss of subjects may make a relationship more (or

less) likely in the remaining data

EVALUATING THREATS TO INTERNAL VALIDITY

Follows a procedure similar to the experimental research:

1. Subject Characteristics Four of many possible characteristics

i. severity of disability

ii. socioeconomic level of parents

iii. physical strength and coordination

iv. physical appearance

2. Mortality Loss of subjects can be expected to reduce magnitude

of correlation

EVALUATING THREATS TO INTERNAL VALIDITY

3. Location Threats could be controlled by independently

assessing the job-site environments

4. Instrumentation Instrument decay; observations should scheduled Data collector characteristics; interaction of data

collectors and supervisors is a necessary parts Data collector bias; observers should have no

knowledge of job ratings

HOW DO WE EVALUATE A CORRELATIONAL STUDY?

To evaluate correlational study, we might follow the criteria given below:

Adequacy of sampling for hypothesis testing Display the results in matrices and graphs Assessment of the magnitude of the relationship based

on the coefficient of determination, values, effect size Form of relationships and appropriate statistics Identify predictor and criterion variables Predicted the direction of relationship among variables

based on observed data Statistical procedures

WHAT IS A SURVEY?

SURVEY RESEARCH involves collecting data to test hypotheses /to Answer Q about people’s opinions on some topics or issue.

A SURVEY : instrument to collect data that describe one or more characteristics of a specific population.

Survey research is one of the most important areas of measurement in applied social research. The broad area of survey research encompasses any measurement procedures that involve asking questions of respondents.

A SURVEY : consists of a predetermined set of questions that is given to a sample.

Types of survey

Cross-Sectional survey

Longitudinal survey

Trend study

Cohort study

Panel study

A cross-sectional study describes characteristics of that population at one time, but cannot give any insight as to the causes of population characteristics because it is a predictive, correlational design.

Data are collected from selected individuals at a single point in time.

Effective for providing a snapshot of a current behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs in a populations.

Cross-Sectional survey

Information is collected at different point in time in order to study change over time.

Require an extended commitment by the researcher and participants.

Three longitudinal design are commonly employed in survey research : trend studies, cohort studies

and panel studies.

Trend study

Longitudinal Surveys

• Examines changes over time in a particular population defined by some particular trait/traits.

• Researcher can analyze changes in attitudes, beliefs, behaviours within that particular population over time.

• is a form of longitudinal study (a type of observational study) 

•Involves one population selected at a particular time period but multiple samples taken and surveyed at different points of time

•Cohort studies are largely about the life histories of segments of populations, and the individual people who constitute these segments.

Cohort Survey

Panel Survey• The same individuals are studies over time.• The researcher survey the same sample of

individuals at different time during the courses of the survey.

 • Mail surveys•In-person interviews •Telephone interviews•Internet survey

Methods of survey research:

Conducting Survey Research

Aim: collection of standardized, quantifiable information from all members of a population or a sample.

To describe the characteristic of a population For example : • age•Ethnicity•Religious preference and others

SURVEY RESEARCH & CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH

Examine relationship of responses to one question in a survey to another or of score base on one set of survey questions to a score based on another set

Questionnaire of the variables are prepared, then the relationship determined by calculating correlation coefficients.

STEP IN SURVEY RESEARCH

1. Defining the Problem2. Indentifying the Target Population3. Choosing the Mode of Data Collection4. Selecting Sample5. Preparing Instrument6. Preparing Cover Letter7. Training Interviews8. Using an Interview to Measure Ability

1. Defining the Problem

Should be interesting and important to motivate individuals to respond.

Define clearly the objective, each question relate to survey’s objective.

Using Hierarchical approach : identify large categories of issues ending with more specific issues within each category.

2. Identifying the Target Population The focus of the study in a survey is

called Unit of analysis. in other types of research, the focus

of study is called target population.

Unit of analysis can be objects, companies, classroom, school, government agencies etc.

3. Choosing the Mode of Data Collection

Direct Administration to a Group Web-Based Survey Mail Survey Telephone Survey Personal Interview

4. Selecting The sample

The researcher must know the right sample to answer the questionnaire.

And the researcher know the sample have the information about the question.

5. Preparing The Instrument Questionnaire- Self administered by respondent- Attractive, not too long, easy to

answer Interview Schedule- Ministered verbally by researcherAvoid unusual wordsSame Q must be asked of all

respondent

Types of Question

Closed- Ended Q Open-Ended Q

Improving Closed Ended Q- Unambiguous, simple, short,

common language, avoid terms that might

bias responses, leading Q and double Negative.

•Pretesting The Q’naire

Overall Format- How the Q look is very

important in encouraging the respondent to respond.

Follow up Q- Called as contingency Q

6. Preparing Cover Letter

For mail survey Purpose of CV: Explain the purpose of the survey Content of CV: Brief, emphasize the

importance of topic, willing to share the result, Their respondent name will be kept confidential, specific date to returned, signed, enclosing a stamped n self addressed envelope…

7. Training Interviews

Need to be trained 1st

- TelephoneHow to engage their interviewees,

explain and ask Q-Face to FaceHow to establish rapport, move on a

new Q and previous, when n how to follow up, Training in gestures, manner, facial expression and dress.

Training interview should include the general topic to be covered such as:- Procedures for contacting respondent, introducing study, how to design the Q’naire, recording answer, rules n guidelines for handling the interpersonal aspects.

8. Using an Interview To Measure Ability

Ex:

THANK YOU