Author Question: Define correlation and give an example. Can one determine cause and effect from correlations? ... (Read 77 times)

gbarreiro · **on:** Jun 22, 2018

Define correlation and give an example. Can one determine cause and effect from correlations? Explain why or why not.

What will be an ideal response

Question 2

What is an experiment? Give an example of a research question that could be addressed with this method. Describe one advantage and one limitation of this method.

What will be an ideal response

Ksanderson1296 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

A correlation exists between two variables when one changes (increases or
decreases) as the other changes. It is impossible to determine cause and effect from
correlations because correlations indicate a connection between two variables, but
cannot determine a reason for the connection because no other variables are
controlled.

Answer to Question 2

The experiment is a research method in which a researcher manipulates one
variable and then looks for and records any changes in some other variable. Sample
research questions will vary, but should involve an independent variable that can be
manipulated (i.e., not age, gender, race, intelligence, etc.) and a dependent variable
that can change. Advantages include ability to determine cause and effect relations
and ability to manipulate or control the environment. Limitations include that it is
usually an artificial situation and participants usually know they are research
participants, so we cannot generalize to real-world situations.