Key terms
Q. Which type of research method is used to show that one variable causes change in another variable?
Causal or Experimental Research Experiments on causal relationships investigate the effect of one or more variables on one or more outcome variables. This type of research also determines if one variable causes another variable to occur or change.
Q. Which research method is best for determining whether one variable causes another?
One of the main strengths of experimental research is that it can often determine a cause and effect relationship between two variables. By systematically manipulating and isolating the independent variable, the researcher can determine with confidence the independent variable’s causal effect on the dependent variable.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Hypothesis | A scientific explanation that can be tested through experimentation or observation |
| Controlled experiment | An experiment in which only one variable is changed |
| Independent variable | The variable that is deliberately changed in an experiment |
Q. What is the purpose of regression in research?
Regression analysis is a reliable method of identifying which variables have impact on a topic of interest. The process of performing a regression allows you to confidently determine which factors matter most, which factors can be ignored, and how these factors influence each other.
Q. Why is correlation used?
Correlation is used to describe the linear relationship between two continuous variables (e.g., height and weight). In general, correlation tends to be used when there is no identified response variable. It measures the strength (qualitatively) and direction of the linear relationship between two or more variables.
Q. Why is correlation important?
Correlation is very important in the field of Psychology and Education as a measure of relationship between test scores and other measures of performance. With the help of correlation, it is possible to have a correct idea of the working capacity of a person.
Q. How do you describe correlation results?
If both variables tend to increase or decrease together, the coefficient is positive, and the line that represents the correlation slopes upward. If one variable tends to increase as the other decreases, the coefficient is negative, and the line that represents the correlation slopes downward.
Q. How do you determine if there is a correlation between two variables?
The correlation coefficient is determined by dividing the covariance by the product of the two variables’ standard deviations. Standard deviation is a measure of the dispersion of data from its average.
Q. Why can it be difficult to interpret a correlation between two variables?
How can directionality make it difficult to interpret correlations? Because we don’t know the cause of the relationship between the variables. We do not know whether A causes B or B causes A. It helps by studying the variables at different points in time, adding the causal element.
