Research methodsLesson 3 of 4 in the course Psychological Research

Correlations, Experiments, and Evaluating Research Evidence

5 flashcards · 4 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

This lesson explains how researchers describe relationships between variables and why a correlation alone does not establish cause and effect.

A correlation is a relationship between two or more variables. When two variables are correlated, changes in one are associated with changes in the other. Correlation does not, by itself, show that one variable causes the other.

All flashcards

Correlation coefficient
The value rr summarizes the strength and direction of a relationship and ranges from −1-1 to +1+1.
Confounding variable
An outside factor that may help explain a relationship between the variables being studied.
Independent and dependent variables
The independent variable is manipulated; the dependent variable is measured as an outcome.
Random sampling
Selecting a sample so every member of the population has an equal chance of selection.
Validity
The extent to which a measure accurately assesses what it is intended to measure.

Quiz questions

  1. What is the possible range of a correlation coefficient rr?Answer: From −1-1 to +1+1.
  2. What is the main purpose of random sampling?Answer: To select participants in a way that can help represent a population.
  3. In an experiment, what is the dependent variable?Answer: The outcome measured to assess the effect of the manipulated variable.
  4. What is a central purpose of peer review?Answer: To have qualified scientists evaluate a manuscript's methods and conclusions.

Based on Psychology 2e by Rose M. Spielman, William J. Jenkins, Marilyn D. Lovett (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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