1. Quantitative Research
Correlational Studies and Experiment Design

2. Correlation

3. Positive vs. Negative Correlations
Positive Correlation
Negative Correlation
The more sexual content teens see on TV, the more likely they are to have sex (Collins et al., 2004).
The more young children watch TV, the less they read (Kaiser, 2003).

4. Correlation vs. Causation

5. Example 1

6. Example 2

7. Example 3

8. Correlation CANNOT prove causation! It can only suggest a possibility.
Get it?
Correlation CANNOT prove causation! It can only suggest a possibility.

9. Tries to establish a cause and effect relationship.
Experiment Design
Tries to establish a cause and effect relationship.

10. Experiment Features Aim Independent Variable Dependent Variable Sample
Procedure
Findings
Conclusion

11. Aim
Purpose of the experiment. What is being investigated. What was the aim of the heart rate experiment?

12. Variables

13. Independent vs. Dependent
Independent Variable
Dependent Variable
Experimenter manipulates
Assumed to have a direct affect on the dependent variable
Measures effect of independent variable

14. Application
In the heart rate experiment, what were the independent and dependent variables?

15. Sample and Target Population

16. Application
Describe the characteristics of the sample in the heart rate experiment (e.g. how many participants, average age, how many girls/boys)
What was the target population of the heart rate experiment?

17. Procedure

18. Findings and Conclusions
The results of the study
What the research actually found
What the findings suggest or mean

19. Application Outline the procedure of the heart rate experiment
What were the findings?
What conclusion(s) can you draw from the experiment?