Research Design Quantitative Observational Investigation design (Non-experimental method)

Experimenter collects numerical data by observation of individuals with a pre-existing difference.

If a researcher chooses to collect quantitative data by observing pre-existing criteria and variables, the study would be called a quantitative
observational investigation or described as having a quantitative observational design. For example, a pre-existing variable could be whether
the parents of children are divorced. These designs are sometimes referred to as being quasi-experimental designs.

Characteristics of an Quantitative Observational Design

The investigator collects quantitative data by observation of selected participants

Employed when the predictor variable cannot be manipulated for ethical, cost or other reasons,
Not as rigorous as experimental, but may be the best that can be done under the circumstances,
The investigator does not manipulate variable(s) of interest

Advantages and Disadvantages

A quantitative observational design is used when it is not ethical to set up an experiment, when it is too costly, or when it is impossible for
other reasons. For example, if researching the effect of exposing young children to violent video games, it would be unethical to deliberately
expose a group of children to these games.
Quantitative Observational design has no randomly assignment to the groups. This also means that the researcher cant infer causation, as
the possible effects of other variables cannot be minimized as they can in an experimental situation.
Allows the subjects to be viewed in their natural state (i.e. behaviour not changed by the controlled setting). May be used when all of the
requirements for an experiment cannot be met (e.g. random assignment). If observation of harm is likely to take place, then on ethical
grounds this design cannot be used.

Strengths:

Weaknesses

Calculating the strength of a relationship between

variables.

Cannot assume cause and effect, strong correlation between variables may be
misleading.

Useful as a pointer for further, more detailed research.

Lack of correlation may not mean there is no relationship, it could be non-linear.

CORRELATION

(correlation co-efficient (r))

Correlation is a statistical technique used to quantify the strength of relationship between two variables.
Used a lot in psychology investigations, for example Murstein (1972) carried out a correlation analysis of ratings of attractiveness in partners
('computer dance' study).
Correlation investigations are an example of quantitative observational designs. Correlational research allows us to assess the degree to
which two variables are related. However, this doesnt allow a researcher to imply that one variable will cause a particular effect on another.
The value if r lies between -1 and 1, where 0 indicates no correlation between 2 variables.
If r 0.5 then the correlation is weak.
If r lies between 0.5 and 0.85 then the correlation is strong.
If r lies between 0.85 and 0.99 then the correlation is very strong.
If r = 1 then the correlation is perfect.
The closer the values in the data are to the line of best fit, the closer r is to 1.
If r > 0.7 we can make predictions about the behaviour of x and y with some degree of certainty. To understand why this is so
2
2
2
calculate r . r is called the co-efficient of determination. If r = 0.5 then 50 % (or more) of the changes in the value of y can be
related to, or can be explained by, variations in x. Uncontrolled variables may be responsible for the other 50 % of the changes.
Once calculated, a correlation coefficient will have a value from -1 to +1.
+1 = perfect positive correlation all points on straight line, as x increases y increases. A value close to one indicates a strong positive
correlation.
0 = no correlation points show differing degrees of correlation.
Note: A correlation around zero may disguise a non-linear relationship.
-1 = perfect negative correlation all points on straight line, as x increases y decreases. A value close to -1 indicates a strong negative
relationship.
Note: In real life human situations, or psychology experiments you will not find perfect correlation between variables, life is just like that.
What psychologists do is calculate a correlation coefficient, then, using statistical tables (thought up by brilliant mathematicians) work out
the probability that their results could have occurred at random.

Analysis of correlation
For a correlational study, the data can be plotted as points on a scatter graph. A line of best fit is then drawn through the points to show the
trend of the data.
If both variables increase together, this is a positive correlation.

If one variable increases as other decreases this is a negative correlation.

If no line of best fit can be drawn, there is no correlation.

Learning Activity 2.1 Q1