Course Outline:

B. BASICS OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH

Research Questions
that investigate
Relationships
Reporter: Daiscylyn O.
Custodio
Southville 8B NHS
Southville 8b, San Isidro, Rodriguez,
Rizal
Relationship-based Research Questions
• a relationship-based research question is one that inquires into the nature of the
association between two research subjects within the same demographic.
• It is also known as correlational research questions because they seek to clearly
identify the link between 2 variables.
• Correlational research is a type of research method that involves observing two
variables in order to establish a statistically corresponding relationship between them.
• This type of research is descriptive, unlike experimental research that relies entirely on
scientific methodology and hypothesis. For example, correlational research may reveal
the statistical relationship between high-income earners and relocation; that is, the
more people earn, the more likely they are to relocate or not.
Correlation and Regression
• are statistical methods to examine the linear relationship between two
numerical variables measured on the same subjects. Correlation
describes a relationship, and regression describes both a relationship
and predicts an outcome.
What are the Types of Correlational Research?

• Positive Correlational Research

• Negative Correlational Research

• Zero Correlational Research

What are the Types of Correlational Research?
• Positive Correlational Research Positive correlational research is a research method involving 2 variables that are
statistically corresponding where an increase or decrease in 1 variable creates a like change in the other. An example is
when an increase in workers' remuneration results in an increase in the prices of goods and services and vice versa.

• Negative Correlational Research Negative correlational research is a research method involving 2 variables that are
statistically opposite where an increase in one of the variables creates an alternate effect or decrease in the other variable.
An example of a negative correlation is if the rise in goods and services causes a decrease in demand and vice versa.

• Zero Correlational Research Zero correlational research is a type of correlational research that involves 2 variables that are
not necessarily statistically connected. In this case, a change in one of the variables may not trigger a corresponding or
alternate change in the other variable.

Zero correlational research caters for variables with vague statistical relationships. For example, wealth and patience can be
variables under zero correlational research because they are statistically independent.
 What are the Data Collection Methods in
Correlational research?

• Naturalistic Observation

• Archival Data

• Survey Method
 What are the Data Collection Methods in
Correlational research?

• Naturalistic Observation

• Archival Data

• Survey Method
What are the Data Collection Methods in
Correlational research?
• Naturalistic Observation

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. It is a type of research-field method that involves the researcher
paying closing attention to natural behavior patterns of the subjects under consideration.
This method is extremely demanding as the researcher must take extra care to ensure that the subjects do not suspect that they
are being observed else they deviate from their natural behavior patterns. It is best for all subjects under observation to remain
anonymous in order to avoid a breach of privacy.
The major advantages of the naturalistic observation method are that it allows the researcher to fully observe the subjects
(variables) in their natural state. However, it is a very expensive and time-consuming process plus the subjects can become
aware of this act at any time and may act contrary.
• Archival Data

Archival data is a type of correlational research method that involves making use of already gathered information about the
variables in correlational research. Since this method involves using data that is already gathered and analyzed, it is usually
straight to the point.
What are the Data Collection Methods in
Correlational research?
For this method of correlational research, the research makes use of earlier studies conducted by other researchers or the
historical records of the variables being analyzed. This method helps a researcher to track already determined statistical
patterns of the variables or subjects.
This method is less expensive, saves time and provides the researcher with more disposable data to work with. However, it has
the problem of data accuracy as important information may be missing from previous research since the researcher has no
control over the data collection process.
• 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.
This method is very flexible as researchers can gather large amounts of data in very little time. However, it is subject to survey
response bias and can also be affected by biased survey questions or under-representation of survey respondents or
participants.
These would be properly explained under data collection methods in correlational research.
Examples
You want to know if wealthy people are less likely to be patient. From
your experience, you believe that wealthy people are impatient.
However, you want to establish a statistical pattern that proves or
disproves your belief. In this case, you can carry out correlational
research to identify a trend that links both variables.
Examples

You believe that domestic violence causes a brain hemorrhage. You

cannot carry out an experiment as it would be unethical to deliberately
subject people to domestic violence.

However, you can carry out correlational research to find out if victims
of domestic violence suffer brain hemorrhage more than non-victims.
Examples
You want to know if there's a correlation between how much people
earn and the number of children that they have. You do not believe that
people with more spending power have more children than people with
less spending power.

You think that how much people earn hardly determines the number of
children that they have. Yet, carrying out correlational research on both
variables could reveal any correlational relationship that exists between
them.
References
• https://www.formpl.us/blog/research-question
• https://www.formpl.us/blog/correlational-research