Correlational Research

Correlational coefficient (R) – a measure of relatedness

A statistical index of the relationship between two things. Values range from -1 to 1 with strong
correlations indicated on either end of the scale.
a strong relationship) and sign (+ or -) indicates direction.

Strength:

Direction:

● Positive

● Negative

Positive of Negative Correlation? Test yourself:

1. The fewer days you spend outside, the lower your levels of Vitamin D

2. More time spent studying fewer instances of stress

Graphing Correlational Data: Scatterplots

Visually, how is a positive correlation different from a negative correlation?

Label each of the follow scatterplots using ​No Correlation, Strong Negative Correlation, Strong
Positive Correlation

A.__________________ B.__________________ C.________________

Illusory Correlation
The perception of a relationship where none exists (this feeds into our superstitions).
So we notice a black cat crossing our path and when one thing goes wrong in the
day…we see the correlation yet it is nothing but illusory! Things go wrong every day,
regardless of a black cat crossing our path!

Illusory Correlations​ feed into our ____________________ beliefs such as the dangers
of a black cat crossing your path or breaking a mirror or walking under a ladder.

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It should be clear by now that ​Correlation does not mean ____________________

If it’s not, consider these three possible cause-effect relationships (​let’s use Low Self Esteem and
Depression as our two variables​)

Did low self-esteem come

BEFORE the depression or did
the person develop a low
self-esteem after being
depressed? Or was it some
third* variable such as a drug
addiction that came before
either the depression and/or
low self-esteem.
*third variables are often
referred to as “​confounding​”
or “​extraneous​” variables