Looking for Links: Descriptive/Correlational Research

Correlational StudiesNaturalistic ObservationsCase StudiesSurveysLooking for Links: Descriptive/Correlational ResearchCorrelational StudiesA correlation exists when two variables are related to each otherDoes not prove a cause-effect relationshipA link between variable X and Y does not prove which variable is causing a change on the other = causation

Correlations can bePositive Correlation: two variables change together in the same directionStudying 6hours/week in PSY 115 is correlated to a final grade of an A.Lack of sleep is correlated to a lower GPA.Negative Correlation: two variables change in the opposite directionPoor attendance is correlated to low grades

A+Correlational CoefficientNumerical index of the degree of relationship between two variables (-1.00 to +1.00) A coefficient close to zero = no correlationThe closer a number falls to -1 or +1 means the stronger the correlationThe closer a number falls to zero means the weaker the correlation

Naturalistic ObservationsCareful observation of behaviors without intervening directly with the subjectsBehavior unfolds naturally in natural environmentAdvantage: environment is natural, not artificial Disadvantages: difficult for researchers to not be obtrusive and affect behavior, or be able to explain behavior observedCase StudiesIn-depth investigation of an individual subjectHow they are conducted:Interview subjectInterview those close to the subjectDirect observationExamination of recordsPsychological testingAdvantages: good for certain phenomena (psych disorders), provide real-life illustrations for theories/hypothesisDisadvantages: highly subjective, information knits together impressionist way, easy to see what you want, clinical samples are unrepresentative SurveysUse of questionnaires/interviews to gather information about aspects of participants background and behaviori.e. taller people = more successfulAdvantages: easy to use when it is difficult to observe directly, easy to gather large amount of dataDisadvantage: depend on self-reporting, poorly worded questions, intentional deception, wishful thinking, memory lapses, cannot prove cause-effect