por We explain what a correlational investigation is, its characteristics, types that exist, advantages and disadvantages. Finally, we give several examples of correlational research.
What is correlational research?
The correlational research It is a study method with which two variables are analyzed, so that they can be measured, understood and generate an assessment of how one is related to the other in statistical terms.
With this type of research, it is possible to explain how is the correlation of the two variables studied. Through the method it is found out what happens with a variable, when the other presents modifications.
Correlational research follows a protocol that has its foundations in the scientific method. This means that questions are asked, the object of study is observed, the variables are measured, and then the data obtained is analyzed in order to reach a specific conclusion about the research.
A Correlational Research Example is to investigate whether there is a correlation between people’s income level and the number of children they have. You cannot do experimental research, but you can do documentary research or a survey of a wide sample of people from a country and determine the average number of children by income level.
Examples of correlational research
Correlational study to find out if children with a higher level of reading comprehension get better grades. Investigate whether people with high levels of anxiety are more likely to have heart disease. Correlational study to find out if people with a higher academic level are more or less likely to show gender violence.
Research that aims to find out if people with a higher socioeconomic level tend to be vegetarians more frequently than those in lower strata.
Study people who smoke tobacco near their children, to find out if there is a relationship between asthma and passive smokers who start to inhale smoke at a very young age.
Research to determine the correlation between the level of greenhouse gases released and the level of temperature reached.
Investigate whether cities with a large amount of noise pollution cause citizens to increase their stress levels.
Find the relationship between the sound of an ambulance siren and its proximity.
Establish the relationship between sports qualities and the number of scholarships or support obtained to continue studies in higher grades.
Study to find if there is a relationship between the level of income that a salaried person has, with the general satisfaction that he manifests in his working life.
Research in the academic field to determine if there is a relationship between family violence and school dropout.
Study the effects of a cultural and artistic program in low-income areas, to find out if the young people who access it lower their level of participation in criminal activities.
Characteristics of correlational research
– It is based on analysis that were made previously, which allow knowing the previous measurements and data of each of the variables.
– The data it returns is based on comparable values.
– With this method variables can be investigated without requiring modification or intervention in any way in them.
– Its main purpose is to find out what variables are connected and how this connectivity relationship is cemented.
– The information obtained allows drawing conclusions about the behavior of a variable if another undergoes changesif both are connected.
– It is based on fundamentals of statistical tests that yield correlation data between variables.
Types of correlational research
positive correlation: relationship between two variables that move in an identical direction. It happens when one variable changes, showing a decrease, at the same time that the other does. The same can happen in the opposite direction, that is, that both variables increase. Example: a savings bank account that grants fixed interest. The two variables would be money and interest; the more money, the more interest the account will earn.
negative correlation: relationship between two variables that move in the opposite direction each of them. When one decreases or increases in value, the other does the opposite. Example: the hotter it is in a certain place, the less clothing the people who live there will wear.
No correlation: the investigation shows that the variables are not related. In this case, it cannot be concluded that there is a pattern between the data produced by each variable, so it is established that they are not correlated. Example: It is claimed that blonde women are dumb, but there is no study that has been able to demonstrate this relationship between blonde hair and low intellectual capacity.
Advantages of correlational research
Lets gather a large amount of information and datagenerally higher than in an experimental phase.
In many cases the results of this research method are easily applicable to everyday life.
It opens the field so that, in the future, other researchers can continue to deepen and getting new data.
Provides an excellent starting point for scholars who approach a certain phenomenon or object of study for the first time.
Disadvantages of correlational research
Allows you to establish a relationship, but does not explain the reason of this link between the variables.
It cannot reveal by itself what the variable is which has more power over another, or which has a determining influence on the correlation that exists.
It allows assumptions to be made about the nature of the relationships found, but further studies are required in order to establish them clearly.
Sometimes there is a third variable involved that is not known until later and, therefore, the results may be inaccurate.
References
Correlational Research Designs: Types, Examples & Methods. Taken from formpl.us What is a Correlational Study?. Taken from study.com