Name : Umi Fatkurohmah

NIM : 932206319

CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH

Correlation coefficient is used to measure the strength of the relationship between two
variables. It is a statistical measure. There are several types of correlation coefficients, the most
popular being Pearson’s correlation coefficient. A correlation coefficient ranges from -1 to +1. A
correlation coefficient of +1 indicates a perfect positive correlation whereas a correlation coefficient
of -1 indicates a perfect negative correlation between two variables. A correlation coefficient of 0
indicates that there is no relationship between the variables under study.

For instance, let us consider a hypothetical study on hypertension and marital satisfaction. A
researcher is aiming to study the relationship between disease (hypertension) and marital
satisfaction. If the researcher finds a negative correlation between these two variables indicating
that as marital satisfaction increases, experiences of hypertension decreases. However, this does not
mean that marital dissatisfaction is causing hypertension, it just highlights an association between
them. In a correlational research, none of the variables under study are manipulated or changed.
They are just measured and the associations between them are observed or examined.

Different types of correlational research outputs

Positive correlation: A positive correlation indicates that there is a positive relationship

between the two variables. In this kind of relation, as one variable increases, the other variable also
increases. For instance, the number of cars a person owns is positively correlated with their income.
More the income, more the number of cars.

Negative correlation: A negative correlation indicates that there is a negative relationship

between the two variables. In this kind of correlation, as one variable increases, the other variable
decreases. For example, there is a negative relationship between levels of stress and life satisfaction.
This indicates that as stress levels increase, life satisfaction decreases.

 Zero correlation: Zero correlation indicates that there is no relationship between the two
variables. A change in one variable does not lead to any changes in the other variable. An example
of zero correlation is the relationship between intelligence and height. An increase in height does
not lead to any changes in the intelligence of an individual.
The Characteristics of Correlational Research

There are two methods in which data is collected in a correlational study:

Naturalistic observation: In naturalistic observation, the participants of the study are

observed in their natural environments. Naturalistic observation is a kind of field study. The
researcher can observe participants in grocery stores, cinemas, playgrounds, schools, etc.

Researchers who use naturalistic observation as a means of data collection observe individuals as
unobtrusively as possible. This is because they don’t want the participants to be aware of being
observed as it may influence their behavior and they may not be their natural self. For instance, if
the researcher is observing consumers in a grocery store and the kind of items they usually buy, it is
ethically acceptable as participants know that they are subjected to being observed in public spaces.
The data collected in naturalistic observation can be qualitative or quantitative. 

Archival data: Archival data is another way to collect data for correlational research. This
type of data has been collected previously by doing similar studies. Archival data is usually
collected through primary research. Archival data tends to be more straightforward as compared to
the data collected through naturalistic observation. There is no scope of observer effect in archival
data. For instance, assessing the average customer satisfaction with electronic products for a
particular brand in America is straightforward.