CORRELATIONAL

DESIGN
Group 6:
Feliana Harilda L.
(20181111021)
Sa’adila Balkiz
(20181111023)

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 Correlational designs provide an opportunity for you to
predict scores and explain the relationship among
variables. In correlational research designs,
investigators use the correlation statistical test to
Correlational describe and measure the degree of association (or
relationship) between two or more variables or sets of
Design scores. A correlation is a statistical test to determine the
tendency or pattern for two (or more) variables or two
sets of data to vary consistently.
 You use this design when you seek to relate two or
more variables to see if they influence each other,
When do such as the relationship between teachers who
you use endorse developmentally appropriate practices and
their use of the whole-language approach to
correlationa reading instruction. You also use this design when
l design? you know and can apply statistical knowledge
based on calculating the correlation statistical test.
 The Types of Correlational Design
 The explanatory design

An explanatory research design is a correlational design in which the researcher is interested in the
extent to which two variables (or more) covary, that is, where changes in one variable are reflected in
changes in the other. Explanatory designs consist of a simple association between two variables (e.g.,
sense of humor and performance in drama) or more than two (e.g., pressure from friends or feelings of
isolation that contribute to binge drinking).

 The prediction design

In a prediction design, researchers seek to anticipate outcomes by using certain variables as predictors.
For example, superintendents and principals need to identify teachers who will be successful in their
schools. The purpose of a prediction research design is to identify variables that will predict an outcome
or criterion. In this form of research, the investigator identifies one or more predictor variable and a
criterion (or outcome) variable.
 What are the key characteristics of correlational designs?
1. Display of scores

 Scatter plots

A scatter plot (or scatter diagram) is a pictorial image displayed on a graph of two sets of scores for
participants. These scores are typically identified as X and Y, with X values represented on the horizontal axis
and Y values represented on the vertical axis. A single point indicates where the X and Y scores intersect for
one individual.

 A correlational matrix

A correlation matrix presents a visual display of the correlation coefficients for all variables in a study. In this
display, we list all variables on both a horizontal row and a vertical column in the table. Correlational
researchers present correlation coefficients in a matrix in published research reports.
2. Associations between scores
This calls for understanding the direction of the association, the form of the distribution, the degree of
association, and its strength.

What Is the Direction of the Association?

It is important to identify if the points intersect, or move in the same or opposite directions.
In a positive correlation (indicated by a "+" correlation coefficient), the points move in the
same direction, that is, when X increases, so does Y, or, alternatively, if X decreases, so does
Y In a negative correlation (indicated by a"-" correlation coefficient), the points move in the
opposite direction; that is, when X increases, Y decreases, and when X decreases, Y
increases. If scores on one variable do not relate in any pattern on the other variable, then no
linear association exists.
What is the form of the association?
Correlational researchers identify the form of the plotted scores as linear or nonlinear.
What is the degree and strength of association?
Degree of association means that the association between two variables or sets of scores is a correlation
coefficient of -1.00 to + 1.00, with 0.00 indicating no linear association at all. This association between two
sets of scores reflects whether there is a consistent, predictable association between the scores.
Other standards for interpreting the strength of the association also exist. General guidelines indicate
whether the size of the coefficient provides meaningful information about the strength of association
between two variables.

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3. Multiple variable analysis
 Partial Correlations

We use partial correlations to determine the amount of variance that an intervening variable explains in both the
independent and the dependent variables.

 Multiple regression

Multiple regression (or multiple correlation) is a statistical procedure for examining the combined relationship of
multiple independent variables with a single dependent variable.
 Meta-analysis
Meta-analysis is a quantitative set of techniques for analyzing results from two or more studies on the same
or similar issues. The goal of meta-analysis is to understand the results of a single study in the context of
all of studies on the subject.

There are a number of steps in conducting a meta-analysis:

• Problem formulation

• Searching databases and gathering studies

• Criteria for review

• Effect sizes

• Summary effect

• Interpretation

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 Using advanced correlational statistical procedures

o Factor analysis
Factor analysis is a way to look at the moderately or highly correlated variables and reduce
these variables in a smaller set of variables for our regression analysis.
o Discriminant functional analysis
Discriminant functional analysis is an advanced statistical procedure for determining what
independent variables best explain the differences among the categories (i.e., group
membership) in the dependent variable.
o Path analysis
Path analysis is a statistical procedure for looking at the likely causal relationship among
three or more variables that influence an outcome. The procedure involves specifying a
theory, measuring the variables, looking for the correlation among variables, and then
reducing the list of variables to a smaller set based on their correlations and how they cluster
together.

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o Structural equation modeling
Structural equation modeling (SEM) is a linear, cross-sectional statistical technique that
consists of a family of related procedures. Related terms used for SEM are covariance
structure analysis, covariance structure modeling, or analysis of covariance structures.
o Hierarchical linear modeling
Hierarchical linear models, also called multilevel linear models, mixed-effects models,
or random effects models, provide an advanced approach to linear regression and a
conceptual and statistical approach for investigating and drawing conclusion regarding
the influence of phenomena at different levels of analysis

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 POTENTIAL ETHICAL ISSUES IN CONDUCTING CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH

Ethical dilemma  
• Describing results inappropriately
Step 1. Determine if a correlational study best addresses the research problem
Step 2. Identify individuals to study
Step 3. Identify two or more measures for each individual in the study
Step 4. Collect data and monitor potential threats
Step 5. Analyze the data and represent the results
Step 6. Interpret the results

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THANK YOU