Research Methods I Chapter 5 – Correlational Research: Surveys Zechmeister, J. S., Zechmeister, E. B., & Shaughnessy, J. J. (2001). Essentials of research methods in psychology. New York: McGraw-Hill.

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Surveys -> Correlational Research Description: Describe people’s opinions, feelings, and preferences Prediction: Predict what people are going to do. Correlational Research Assess relationships among naturally occurring variables Surveys amass the data which is then used to find what the relationship s are in the “naturally occurring variable.”

Surveys Surveys amass the data which is then used to find what the relationships are in the “naturally occurring variables.”

Correlational Research Researchers use correlational research to assess relationships among naturally occurring variables and to make predictions. Surveys amass the data which is then used to find what the relationship s are in the “naturally occurring variable.

Correlational Coefficient The size of a correlation indicates the strength of the predictive relationship. ±0.80 is considered a strong correlation -1.0 & +1.0 are perfect correlations +1.0 Positive Correlation -1.0 Negative Correlation The students who studied 5 hours got 100 correct on the test – positive correlation The students who got more sleep drank less coffee – negative correlation

Introduction Size – strength -1.0 - +1.0 : perfect correlation Correlation Coefficient Size – strength -1.0 - +1.0 : perfect correlation Sign : direction Scatterplot Margin of Error

Measures in Correlational Research Value of research depends on the quality of measurements Questionnaires Demographic variables Preferences/Attitudes Self-Report Scales

Measures in Correlational Research Reliability – consistency Test-retest Internal consistency Reliability Coefficient Survey research represents a more general approach to psychological research called correlational research

Measures in Correlational Research Validity Does it measure what says it does? Construct validity Convergent validity Discriminant validity p. 122, Table 5.4 of our text

Obtaining a Sample Samples are Used to Describe Populations Population Representativeness Biased Sample Selection Bias Response Bias

Obtaining a Sample Nonprobability sampling Probability sampling Convenience sampling Probability sampling Simple random sampling Stratified random sampling

Survey Research Designs Cross-sectional design Successive independent samples design Longitudinal design

Thinking Critically About Correlational Research Reactivity: Social Desirability