DESCRIPTIVE
CORRELATIONAL
Survey
Descriptive Correlational
Research
Descriptive correlational research is a type of
study design in which researchers aim to
describe the relationship between two or more
variables without manipulating them. This
method is used primarily to determine whether
and to what degree a relationship exists
between the variables under observation.
Descriptive Correlational
Research
Unlike experimental research, where
researchers control and manipulate variables to
establish causal relationships, descriptive
correlational research is purely observational.
The goal is to explore the associations between
variables in their natural state, often in real-
world settings.
KEY CHARACTERISTICS
• Non-experimental: No manipulation of variables is
done; the study observes variables as they
naturally occur.
• Correlational: The focus is on determining
whether there is an association (positive,
negative, or no correlation) between two or more
variables.
• Quantitative: This type of research often involves
the collection of numerical data to analyze the
strength and direction of the relationships
STEPS IN CONDUCTING
DESCRIPTIVE CORRELATIONAL
RESEARCH
Problem Identification: Researchers begin by identifying the
1 variables of interest. These variables should be ones they
suspect are related but have not been manipulated in any way.
Literature Review: A review of existing literature is conducted
2 to determine what is already known about the relationship
between the variables. This also helps refine the research
questions or hypotheses.
Formulating the Research Question: A clear research question
3 is developed. For example, "Is there a relationship between
students' study hours and their academic performance?"
STEPS IN CONDUCTING
DESCRIPTIVE CORRELATIONAL
RESEARCH
Data Collection: Data is collected from a population or sample
4 without manipulating any variables. Common methods include
surveys, questionnaires, or observing real-world interactions.
Data Analysis: Once data is collected, it is analyzed using
5 statistical tools like Pearson’s correlation coefficient to
determine if a relationship exists and its strength and
direction.
Interpretation of Results: Based on the analysis, researchers
6 interpret the strength and type of correlation. A positive
correlation means that as one variable increases, the other
does too, while a negative correlation indicates an inverse
relationship.
TYPES OF CORRELATION
• Positive Correlation: Both variables move in the
same direction. For example, as study time
increases, exam scores also tend to increase.
• Negative Correlation: One variable increases
while the other decreases. For instance, as stress
levels increase, academic performance may
decrease.
• Zero Correlation: No apparent relationship
between the variables.
ADVANTAGES OF DESCRIPTIVE
CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH
• Real-world applicability: Since there is no
manipulation of variables, the findings are often
applicable to real-world scenarios.
• Ethical simplicity: Since the researcher only
observes, ethical concerns related to
manipulating variables are minimized.
• Ethical simplicity: Since the researcher only
observes, ethical concerns related to
manipulating variables are minimized.
LIMITATIONS
• No causality: This method cannot establish a
cause-and-effect relationship between variables;
it only identifies associations.
• Confounding variables: Other unmeasured
variables could be influencing the relationship
between the variables of interest, leading to
misinterpretation.
• Biased results: Non-experimental designs are
vulnerable to biases, especially if the sample is
not representative or if the data collection
APPLICATIONS OF DESCRIPTIVE
CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH
• Education: Exploring relationships between study
habits, social factors, and academic performance.
• Psychology: Investigating correlations between
personality traits and behaviors like stress or coping
mechanisms.
• Psychology: Investigating correlations between
personality traits and behaviors like stress or coping
mechanisms.
THANK YOU
QUIZ
True or False
1 Descriptive correlational research is a
type of study design in which researchers
aim to describe the relationship between
two or more variables without
manipulating them.
The first step in conducting descriptive
2 correlational research is “Literature Review”.
True or False
3 Like experimental research, where
researchers control and manipulate
variables to establish causal relationships,
descriptive correlational research is purely
observational.
Correlational is the focus is on
4 determining whether there is an
association (positive, negative, or no
correlation) between two or more
variables.
True or False
Data Collection is where data is collected
5 from a population or sample, manipulating
any variables. Common methods include
surveys, questionnaires, or observing real-
world interactions.
ITEMS 6-10: WRITE ATLEAST 5 STEPS IN
CONDUCTING CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH.
