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Correlational Studies

Definition

Correlational studies measure two variables and examine how they relate to each other without manipulating either one of them.

Analogy

Imagine correlational studies as two people on a seesaw. The movement of one person (variable) can tell you something about the movement of the other person (another variable), but it doesn't necessarily mean one is causing the other to move.

Related terms

Positive Correlation: This occurs when both variables increase or decrease together, like height and weight in humans - as height increases, typically so does weight.

Negative Correlation: This happens when one variable increases while the other decreases, like time spent watching TV and grades - as TV time goes up, grades often go down.

Correlation Coefficient: A statistical measure that calculates the strength and direction of a correlation. It's like a scorecard telling how closely two things are related.