Business

Research Methods: “Correlational Research.”

Pamela Barcia

Professor: Dr. Cristina Russu

PSY110 Social Psychology Section 029VA016-1124-001

April, 2012

Strayer University

Honor Pledge

I have read and understood Strayer University’s Academic Integrity Policy. I promise to conduct myself with integrity in the submission of all academic work to the University and will not give or receive unauthorized assistance for the completion of assignments, research papers, examinations or other work. I understand that violations of the Academic Integrity Policy will lead to disciplinary action against me, up to and including suspension or expulsion from the University. I understand that all students play a role in preserving the academic integrity of the University and have an obligation to report violations of the Academic Integrity Policy committed by other students.

Pamela S. Barcia

Signature

“Correlational Research is designed to examine the nature of the relationship between two or more naturally occurring variables.” (Franzoi S, 2006. “Social Psychology” pp. 43 Second custom edition (4th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Custom Publishing). It is a statistical measure of a relationship between two or more variables, gives an indication of how one variable may predict another. However, correlation does not imply causation; that is, simply because two events are in some way correlated (related) does not mean that one necessarily causes the other. For example, “some test data indicate that boys receive higher math-aptitude scores on college entrance exams than girls, indicating a correlation of gender with mathematical ability.” (Wiley J, Descriptive/Correlational Research, 2012) But before concluding that gender determines mathematics aptitude, one must demonstrate that both the boys and the girls in the study have had the same mathematics background. Some studies have shown that girls are discouraged from taking or at least not encouraged to take more than...