Correlational Research

Correlational Research

The basic question for descriptive research is - "What are the values of a number of variables for a given sample of subjects.

The basic research question for correlation research is - What is the relationship between two or more variables for a given set of subjects. Notice that we said relationship between variables and not the effect of one variable on another variable.

In descriptive research we are just describing our subjects in terms of one or more variables, while in correlational research we are looking at the relationship between the variables.

In future lessons we will look at research in which we are looking at the effect of one variable (the independent variable) on another variable (the dependent variable). This will be the case for causal-comparative reseaerch (lesson 12) and for experimental research (lesson 13).

The important thing to remember is that for correlational research we are just looking at the degree of relationship between the variables and not the effect of one variable on another variable.

An example of a correlational research study:

One important type of correlational research are studies conducted to provide information about the validity and reliability of tests.

Reliability studies are conducted to demonstrate the consistency with which tests perform their measurement function. In one type of reliability study the same group of subjects is given a test and then at a somewhat later date are given the test again. We thus have two scores for each subject (the test score and the retest score) and the correlation coefficient between the two sets of scores can be calculated.

This kind of correlation coefficient is referred to as a reliability coefficient. The reliability coefficient can also be calculated by using equivalent forms of the test. Many tests used in education, for example, standardized achievement tests, have more than one form. To determine the reliability coefficient, a group of subjects are given both forms of a test (e.g. Form A and form B) thus two scores are obtained for each subject and the correlation coefficient is calculated for the two sets of scores.

The first type of correlation study we referred to is a test-retest reliability study and the second is an equivalent forms reliability study.

To demonstrate the validity of a test we want to show that scores on the test correlate highly with some external measure of what the test purportedly measures. This external measure is referred to as the criterion. To conduct a valid correlational study. We obtain scores for students on some test and also record their scores on the criterion measure. Thus we have two scores for each subject and can calculate the correlation coefficient of the sets of scores. This correlation coefficient is referred to as a validity coefficient.

In the follow table are listed some example tests and criteria that might be used in validity studies.

Test	Criterion
Reading Comprehension	Teachers Rating on Reading Comprehension
Jiffy IQ Test	Wechsler Intelligence Test for Children
Clinical Depression Scale	Psychiatrist's Rating on Depression Checklist
Algebra Prediction Test	Final Grades for Algebra Class

Note that in the first three examples the test and the criteria occurred at about the same time. This type of validity is referred to as concurrent validity. In the last example, note that, the criteria occurred at some time after the test. This is referred to as predictive validity. In this case we want to show the effectiveness of scores on the test in predicting the subjects' standing on some criteria. Some of the same consideratins for predictive validity studies are true for prediction studies in general, which we will discuss later.

The Nature of Correlation

Correlational research studies almost always use the correlation coefficient to indicate the degree of relationship between two variables. The correlation coefficient is a number ranging from 1 (a perfect positive correlation) through 0 (no relationship between the variables) to -1 (a perfect negative correlation).

It is tempting to think of a correlation coefficient as indicating the proportion of sameness between the two variables. But this is not true. A correlation of .90 does not mean that the two variables are 90% the same. In fact, the proportion of common variance (an indication of sameness) for a correlation of .90 is .81 or 81%. The proportion of common variance is the square of the correlation coefficient. (.90 x .90 = .8100).

If we have a correlation of .50 between two variables the proportion of common variance is only .25 or 25% (.50 x .50 = .2500). We could say that the two variables demonstrate 25% sameness but 75% (100 - 25) different ness (if there is such a word and we can use it in the present context).

The Design of Correlational Research Studies

Prediction Studies

In predictive correlational studies we are using the degree of relationship that exists between two variables to predict one variable from the other. For example if reading and spelling are correlated, then we can use the information to predict a student's score on the spelling test if the student has only taken the reading test. Conversely we could predict the student's score on the reading test given the student's score on the spelling test.

Prediction studies are widely used to predict student academic success in college based on such measures as high school grades, teacher grades, and aptitude test scores. In fact, many such criteria may be used in a multiple correlation prediction study.

Read a correlational research study, preferably one you identified in your review of the related literature, and state the following components for the study you read.

1. Indicate the problem for the study
2. Describe the subjects for the study.
3. Describe the instruments used in the study.
4. Describe the procedures (how was the study conducted).
5. Describe how the data for the study was analyzed.
6. List the major conclusions of the study.

You should include the following items or components about the study you read:

1. Complete APA style reference for the article
2. The problem
3. The subjects
4. The instruments
5. The procedures
6. The method of data analysis
7. The major conclusions