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Example of Correlational Research: Cannabis Use and Memory
An example of a correlational study necessitated by ethical constraints involves investigating the relationship between cannabis use and memory abilities. Because researchers cannot ethically manipulate the independent variable by forcing participants to use cannabis, they must rely on the correlational strategy. This involves measuring the natural frequency of participants' cannabis use alongside their memory performance on a standardized test to evaluate if the two variables are statistically related.
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
Related
Correlational Research Techniques
Comparison of Correlational and Experimental Research in Establishing Causation
Correlation Coefficient
The Fundamental Limitation of Correlational Research: Inability to Establish Causation
Illusory Correlation: Perceiving Nonexistent Relationships
A researcher conducts a study and finds that cities with a higher number of parks per capita also have a lower rate of reported respiratory illnesses. The researcher concludes that the presence of parks causes a decrease in respiratory illness. What is the primary flaw in this conclusion based on the research method described?
A researcher conducts a large-scale survey and finds a strong positive relationship between the amount of time people spend watching news coverage of disasters and their reported levels of anxiety. Based only on this finding, which of the following is the most valid conclusion?
Example of Correlational Research: Self-Esteem and School Achievement
Using Correlation to Establish Measurement Reliability and Validity
Example of Correlational Research: Cannabis Use and Memory
Misconception About Variables in Correlational Research
Predictive Value of Correlation
Data Collection in Correlational Research
Complex Correlational Research
Dichotomizing Skewed Variables
Factor Analysis
Line Graphs in Correlational Research
Scatterplots
Usefulness of Correlational Research
Establishing Causality via Experiments
Confounding Variable
External Validity of Correlational Research
Correlational Research as Converging Evidence
Example of Correlational Research: Need for Cognition and Occupation
Example of Distinguishing Correlational and Experimental Research
Directionality Problem
Third-Variable Problem
Which of the following best describes the primary approach of correlational research?
Match each core component of correlational research with the scenario that best illustrates its role or function in a psychological study.
A researcher is investigating the relationship between 'exposure to parental conflict' and 'childhood emotional regulation.' Because it is unethical to intentionally increase conflict in a family to observe its effects on children, the researcher should apply a correlational research design to measure these variables as they naturally occur.
A researcher discovers a strong correlation between 'daily exercise' and 'mental wellbeing.' Arrange the following steps in the logical sequence of a correlational analysis, moving from the initial description of the relationship to a critical evaluation of its limits and its final application for prediction.
In correlational research, researchers can utilize a statistical technique called regression to predict scores on one variable based on the scores of another variable.
Which of the following statements best explains why a researcher would choose a correlational research design instead of an experimental design?
A researcher wants to study the potential relationship between prenatal alcohol exposure and cognitive development in children. Because it would be unethical to intentionally require pregnant participants to consume alcohol, the researcher cannot manipulate an independent variable. Given this ethical constraint, the most appropriate design is a/an _____ research design, which allows measurement of both variables and prediction of outcomes without experimental manipulation.
A researcher is designing studies on human behavior. Match each study description to the correlational research principle it best illustrates.
A student reads a published study that measured participants' daily screen time and their self-reported life satisfaction scores in a naturalistic setting. The researchers computed a correlation coefficient but never assigned participants to any screen-time condition, nor did they hold constant any outside factors. Analyzing these features, the student correctly classifies the study as non-experimental because the researchers made little to no effort to control _____ variables—the same characteristic that prevents the authors from concluding that screen time causes changes in life satisfaction.
A research team is deciding whether to use a correlational design to study the relationship between childhood poverty and adult educational attainment. Order the following evaluative criteria from the first consideration the team should address to the final justified conclusion about design choice.
Define correlational research and identify its key characteristics regarding variable manipulation and the control of extraneous variables. In addition, state the two primary scientific goals that this research strategy allows investigators to achieve, and name the specific statistical technique used to make predictions from one variable to another.
Explain why the psychologist chose a correlational research design instead of an experimental design for this study. In your explanation, identify the nature of the variables in this scenario and explain how this design helps achieve the goals of description and prediction.
A researcher wants to study the relationship between the number of hours college students work at part-time jobs and their overall GPA. Apply the principles of correlational research to explain how the researcher should collect data on these variables, and specify the statistical technique they should use to predict a student's GPA from their work hours.
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A study that measures participants' self-reported frequency of cannabis use and their scores on a standardized memory test—without assigning anyone to use or abstain from cannabis—is an example of a correlational research design because researchers cannot ethically manipulate the variable of cannabis use.
A researcher wants to study whether cannabis use is related to memory performance. Because it would be unethical to assign people to use cannabis, she instead records how often each participant already uses cannabis and has them complete a standardized memory test. Match each element of this study to its correct description.
A team of researchers wants to study whether long-term cannabis use is associated with differences in memory performance. Since it is unethical to assign participants to use cannabis for a study, which action should the researchers take to investigate this relationship?
A research team wants to investigate whether cannabis use is related to memory. Arrange the steps of the research process in the logical order required to study this topic while adhering to ethical guidelines.
A research team is developing a research blueprint to investigate whether the frequency of cannabis use is statistically related to memory performance. To create an ethically sound study that utilizes a correlational strategy, which of the following methodological frameworks should they synthesize?
To study the relationship between cannabis use and memory, researchers cannot ethically manipulate the independent variable by forcing participants to use cannabis, so they must instead rely on a(n) _____ research strategy, measuring cannabis use frequency and memory performance as they naturally occur.
When evaluating the best method for studying the link between cannabis use and memory, a researcher must prioritize ethical considerations. Because it is unethical to force participants to consume substances, a researcher would justify the use of a(n) _____ strategy to statistically assess the relationship between natural usage levels and test scores.
A researcher wants to study the relationship between alcohol consumption and reaction time, but recognizes that ethically requiring participants to drink set amounts of alcohol is not permissible. Applying the same reasoning used in cannabis-and-memory research, the researcher should record participants' naturally occurring drinking habits alongside their reaction-time scores and then determine whether the two variables are statistically related.
In the cannabis-use-and-memory correlational study, each design element serves a distinct methodological function. Match each element to the specific role it plays in making the study both ethical and scientifically valid.
A research team must first judge whether a correlational design is justified for studying cannabis use and memory, and then carry out that design responsibly. Arrange the following steps in the order that best reflects sound evaluative and methodological reasoning.