Quantitative Research:

Correlational Research
Group 2
Correlational Research
• Definition
• Characteristics
• Types
• Data Collection Methods
• Advantages & Disadvantages
Correlational Research
 Correlational Research

A non-experimental research
method which studies the relationship
between two variables.
 Correlational Research
• Establishing a relationship between
two variables
• Looking for variables that seem to
interact with each other.
 Characteristics of
Correlational Research
 Characterisitics of Correlational
Research
Non-experimental
Researcher only measures and observes the
relationship between the variables, without altering them
or subjecting them to external conditioning.

Backward-looking
Only looks back at historical data and observes
events in the past.

Dynamic
Patterns between two variables from correlational
research are never constant and are always changing.
Types of Correlational
Research
 Correlational Research

• Correlation Coefficient ranges from -1 to +1

• +1 indicates a perfect positive correlation
• -1 indicates a perfect negative correlation
• 0 indicates that there is no/zero relationship
 Types of Correlational Research
Positive Correlation Negative Correlation Zero Correlation
• One variable • One variable • Change in one
increases, the other increases, the variable does not
variable also other variable lead to any
increases. decreases. changes in the
other variable.
• Example: The Example: The height
amount of coffee above sea level is Example: People's
a person takes is negatively correlated shoe sizes and the
positively to temperature. number of movies
correlated with the they watch daily
number of hours have no correlation.
they stay awake.
 Graphs of Correlation
Scatter graphs and line graphs are used to show the potential correlation between
two different variables.

Positive Correlation Negative Correlation Zero Correlation

Data Collection Methods in
Correlational Research
 Data Collection Methods in
Correlational Research

Data colection methods in correlational

research are the reseach methodologies
adopted by persons carrying out
correlational research in order to determine
the linear statistical relationship between
variables.
The 3 Methods of Data Collection

• Naturalistic Observation
Method
• Archival Data Method
• Survey Method
Naturalistic Observation Method
Naturalistic observation is a
correlational research methodology
that involves observing people's
behaviors as shown in the natural
environment where they exist, over a
period of time.
 Archival Data Method

Archival data is a type of

correlational research method that
involves making use of already
gathered information about the
variables in correlational research.
 Survey Method
The survey method is the most common
method of correlational research; especially
in fields like psychology. It involves random
sampling of the variables or the subjects in
the research in which the participants fill a
questionnaire centered on the subjects of
interest.
Advantages & Disadvantages
of Correlational Research
 Advantages of Correlational Research

• Predict causal relationships

• Predict human behaviors
• Easier to interpret, cost-effective and
applicable
• Guide future researchers
Disadvantages of Correlational Research

• Dont have the scope to imply causation

• No cause and results
• Results can find no inferences
• Possibility of a confounding factor
• Correlational Research is limiting in nature