Correlational Research

Correlational Research

            The process of statistically examining the association among variables is defined as correlational research.  Both variables either increase or decrease at a seemingly comparable or expected rate.  Although this method considers the connections between variables, it refrains from explicating causal factors (Leedy & Ormrod, 2010).  In effort to expound upon the term, research examples which necessitate a correlational study are as follows:

1)      Examining the US men’s and women’s track team results in comparison from Beijing 2008 and London 2012.

2)      Investigating a retail stores increased sales in relation to an increase in student employment.

3)      Observing the relation between higher gas prices and an increase in board game sales.

Study 1 would display the times and records of the track team for each event.  By considering both Olympics, one may notice improvements, setbacks, consistencies, and inconsistencies.  Such data would benefit current and future training for world competitions and Brazil 2016.  Accordingly, data and results from Study 2 provide sales records as well as employment records among high school and college-aged students.  Last of all, Study 3 results demonstrate how gas prices have increased over a period of time and the sales records of board games within the same marketing area.  As with any correlational study, it is imperative to consider bias and alternative factors.  One must not confuse correlation with causation (Leedy & Ormrod, 2010).

References:

Leedy, P. D. & Ormrod, J. E. (2010). Practical research: Planning and design (9th ed.).

Upper Saddle River, N. J.: Pearson Education, Inc.