Correlations

What is a correlation?

relationship between two variables

What is a correlation graph plotted on and what does it tell us?

It is plotted on a scattergram, and tells us the strength and direction of a relationship between two or more co-variables

What is a positive correlation?

as one variable increases, so does the other

What is a negative correlation?

as one variable increases, the other decreases

What are some strengths of correlation?

- useful preliminary tool, avoids using time and money on an experimental study that is unlikely to find anything

- quick and economical, no need for a controlled environment and additional secondary data can be used to save time and money

What are some weaknesses of correlation?

- not a casual relationship, only tells us how variables are reacted and not why and we can't establish cause and effect

- potential third variables not accounted for, perhaps a reason for a change in variables isn't due to the relationship they have with each other, but rather a third unrecognised variable