The I Correlational research It's a kind of investigation Not experimental, in which researchers measure two variables and establish a statistical relationship between them (correlation), without the need to include external variables to reach relevant conclusions.
There are two essential reasons why researchers are interested in these statistical relationships between variables and are motivated to perform correlational research.
The first is because they do not believe that the relationship between these variables is accidental, ie a researcher would apply a survey whose use is known a previously chosen group of people.
The second reason why this type of research is conducted instead of experimentation is because of the causal statistical relationship between variables, so researchers can not manipulate variables independently, since it is impossible, impractical and unethical.
There are three types of correlational research (natural observation, surveys and questionnaires, information analysis). Likewise, the correlation between the variables can be positive (directly proportional) or negative (inversely proportional). Indicating the way in which one variable can affect the other.
It is generally believed that correlational research should involve two quantitative variables, such as scores, results of the number of repeated events within a time frame.
However, the most important characteristic of correlational research is that the two variables treated are measured (without being manipulated) and the results are independent of the type of variable (quantitative or categorical) (Price, Jhangiani, & Chiang, 2017).
You may also want to know the Field research: what it is, characteristics and stages .
Definition of correlational research
The term correlation is defined as the relationship between two variables. The main purpose of using correlations in the research field is to find out which variables are connected to each other. In this way, a specific event is understood scientifically as a variable.
Correlational research consists of looking for several variables that interact with each other, so when the change in one of them is evident, one can assume what the change will be in the other that is directly related to it.
This process requires the researcher to use variables that he can not control. In this way, a researcher may be interested in studying a variable A and its relation and impact on a variable B.
For example, an investigator could study the type of ice cream that is preferred according to age, identifying the preference of consumers based on their age. The world is full of correlated events, where if the variable A is affected, there is a high probability that the variable B is also variable.
Within correlational research there are two different types, one positive and one negative. Positive correlations mean that the variable A increases and therefore the variable B does. On the other hand, when speaking of negative correlations, when the variable S increases, the variable B decreases.
Correlational research has its bases in numerous statistical tests that indicate coefficients of correlation between the variables. These coefficients are represented numerically to indicate the strength and direction of a relationship (Alston, 2017).
Types
Within the process of correlational research the researcher does not always have the opportunity to choose the variables he wants to study. When this happens, it is said that a semi-experimental investigation is being carried out (Kowalczyk, 2015).
There are three types of correlational research within which variables may or may not be controlled. This depends on the type of approach theme Given and how you want to conduct the research.
1- Natural observation
The first of three types of correlational research is natural observation. In this way, the researcher observes and records the variables within a natural environment, without interfering in the course of the same.
An example of this can be a classroom. The researcher can analyze the results and the final grades obtained by the students in relation to the level of absenteeism of the students.
This type of correlational research can be time consuming and does not always allow for control over variables.
2- Surveys and questionnaires
Another type of correlational research is given when surveys and questionnaires are carried out from which information is collected. Within this type of research a sample or random group of participants must be chosen
For example, when conducting a successful survey of a new product in a shopping center, a research survey is being conducted for correlational purposes. This type of survey is used to predict whether or not a product will be successful.
Using surveys within correlational research is often highly desirable, however, if participants are not honest about it, they can alter the final results of the research in many ways.
3- Analysis of information
The last type of correlational research that can be carried out is to analyze data previously collected by other researchers. For example, the judicial record of a population can be consulted to predict how criminal statistics influence the local economy.
Query files are usually available for free as query tools. However, in order to establish a meaningful correlation relationship, it is usually necessary to have access to large amounts of information.
Within this type of research, researchers have no control over the type of information that has been recorded (Raulin, 2013).
Examples
Ice cream truck
A good way to explain how correlational research works would be to think of an ice cream cart. In this way, a person can learn to recognize the particular sound of an ice cream truck, being able to perceive it in the distance.
When the sound of the truck becomes louder, the person is able to recognize that the truck is closer.
In this way, the variable A would be the sound of the truck and the variable B would be the distance in which the truck is located. In this example, the correlation is positive, that the more the sound of the truck increases, the closer its distance will be.
If we had different truck sounds, an individual would be able to recognize them all and relate them to different variables (Ary, Jacobs, Razavieh, & Sorensen, 2009).
Identification of autism In children
This study used a study group with a test designed to identify the differences between different population groups, in order to determine if there was any correlation between the variables analyzed.
A sample of 66 participants, all of them children 12 months of age, were taken. Among these participants, 35 children had older siblings with a clinical diagnosis of autism. The remaining 31 children had siblings who did not have any degree of autism.
All participants were asked to manipulate an object to carry out a specific task and thus to identify some type of normal and abnormal behavior.
At the age of 24 or 36 months, the same group of children were again tested to determine if there was a tendency toward autism or developmental problems.
The results indicated that 9 of the infants who had autistic siblings were also diagnosed with some degree of autism. A series of correlations for these children were computed, including their results in the initial manipulation test and the test carried out later.
It was evidenced how the atypical manipulation of an object by a 12-month-old child was positively correlated with the later diagnosis of autism. Likewise, it was negatively correlated with the child's topical or normal development (Siegle, 2015).
Racism In African American Women
Within this research three initial questions were raised regarding the experiences that African-American women might have had in the past.
These questions inquired about the proportions in which these women had experienced some form of racism.
Questioning the relationship of these experiences with possible psychological conditions of women and the ability of these women to mitigate the impact that racism had on their psychological condition.
The sample consisted of 314 African American women who responded to a written survey designed to measure their experience with racism, the potential psychological conditions derived from this phenomenon and the choice of behaviors to deal with discrimination situations.
The results indicated the manifestation of numerous forms of racism (insults by coworkers, being ignored by department store sellers, racist jokes, among others).
These different forms of racism were reported by more than 70% of the participants. It was shown that racism was a common experience among African American women.
Correlational coefficients revealed a significant positive relationship between reported racism and the events and possible psychological problems of these women. This conclusion covered the mechanisms for dealing with racism employed by them.
Other results indicated that the different models used by African American women to deal with these incidents were regularly employed partially successfully.
In this way, many women would have turned a negative experience into a much worse one in their attempt to mitigate the psychological impact of it (Goodwin & Goodwin, 2017).
References
- Alston, C. (2017). com . Retrieved from"Correlational Studies in Psychology: Examples, Advantages & Types: study.com".
- Ary, D., Jacobs, L.C., Razavieh, A., & Sorensen, C.K. (2009). Introduction to Research in Education. Belmont: Wadsworth.
- Goodwin, C.J., & Goodwin, K.A. (2017). Research In Psychology Methods and Design. Lightning Source Inc.: WIley.
- Kowalczyk, D. (2015). com . Retrieved from"Correlational Research: Definition, Purpose & Examples: study.com".
- Price, P.C., Jhangiani, R. S., & Chiang, I.-C. A. (2017). Correlational Research . Retrieved from What Is Correlational Research?: opentextbc.ca.
- Raulin, G. &. (2013). Graziano & Raulin Research Methods (8th edition) . Retrieved from Example of Correlational Research: graziano-raulin.com.
- Siegle, D. (November 10, 2015). University of Connecticut . Retrieved from"Educational Research Basics by Del Siegle": researchbasics.education.uconn.edu.