Contains methodology on correlation, Brain scans such as PET scans, MRI scans and CAT scans and statistical tests such as spearman's rho test. Methods for edexcel biological psychology also requires to know case studies of adoption studies and twin studies such as Gottesman and shields 1966 twin st...
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3.2 Methods
3.2.1 Correlational research
● The use of the correlational research method in psychology, including co-
variables.
● Types of correlation: positive, negative and including the use of scatter
diagrams.
● Issues surrounding the use of correlations in psychology; issues with cause and
effect, other
variables.
what is positive correlation?
Positive correlations show that as one variable increases the other variable
increases
what is negative correlation?
Negative correlations show that as one variable increases the other variable
decreases
Explain one strength and one weakness of the correlational research method.
Strength
• The correlation method allows researchers to investigate naturally occurring
variables (1) that may be unethical or impractical to test experimentally in a
laboratory (1).
Weakness
• The correlation method cannot establish a cause and effect relationship
between variables (1), as there may be a lack of control over the other
variables that may influence the outcome of the results being measured (1).
3.2.2 Analysis of correlational data
● Analysis of, use of, and drawing conclusions from correlational studies,
including scatter diagrams, using inferential statistical testing (use of Spearman’s
rho) and issues of statistical
3.2 Methods 1
, significance; levels of measurement; critical and observed values.
● The use of alternate, experimental and null hypotheses. The use of IV and DV in
experiments and co-variables in correlations. The use of control groups,
randomising to groups, sampling, levels of measurement (ordinal, interval,
nominal), reasons for using Spearman’s rho.
what would indicate a positive correlation?
0-1+
what would indicate a negative correlation?
-1 -0
how can you get an accurate correlation from the correlational study?
the spearman test gives a accurate correlation.
strength of correlational studies? (direct and strength of relationship)
Correlational research can indicate the direction (positive, negative or no
relationship) between 2 co-variables and the strength of the relationship,
shown in the correlation co-efficient.
An example of this being Suter et al's correlational study investigating the
relationship between blood pressure and stress levels which found a
correlation coefficient of -0.12, indicating a weak negative relationship
between the 2 co-variables.
This is a strength as correlational studies (with the use of Spearman's Rho)
can provide a precise quantitative measure of the strength of relationship
between co-variables which means that results are easy to classify & draw
conclusions from.
strength of correlational studies (starting positions for research)
Correlational research offers a beneficial starting position for research.
Correlational research is considered as a preliminary way to gather
information about a topic, especially whether a relationship between co-
variables exists and whether an experiment should be done to determine
which variable causes the other.
3.2 Methods 2
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