Author Question: Identify an important limitation of correlational research, and provide an example that illustrates ... (Read 61 times)

DelorasTo · **on:** Jun 20, 2018

Identify an important limitation of correlational research, and provide an example that illustrates this limitation.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Research in education has received a considerable amount of criticism over the years, with its lack of impact on classroom practice being one of the most important. It is both surprising and depressing that many educators cannot think of a single research output or can think of only trivial outputs that meet this most practical and important outcome of research (Anderson & Shattuck, 2012, p. 18).
Which of the following types of research has become prominent in response to these criticisms?

a. Descriptive research
b. Action research
c. Design-based research
d. Qualitative research

mrphibs · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 20, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correlational research is limited to describing a relationship between two variables, but it does not imply that one causes the other. For example, school attendance is correlated with increased achievement, i.e., students who attend school regularly achieve higher than those who miss school. However, being in school doesn't cause students to achieve higher. Most likely, the opportunities to learn that exist in school, which don't exist if students don't attend school, are the causes of increased achievement.

Answer to Question 2

c