With all of the inherent flaws in correlational designs, why should we conduct correlational research? Give three reasons ,and explain each.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Ans: There are some obvious reasons we might not conduct correlational research—the inability to explain behavior with causation and the lack of control. However, there are several reasons to conduct correlational research; in fact, these reasons make correlational research invaluable. First, it is sometimes used as exploratory research to see if relationships exist before investing more resources in experimental research. It is a very good idea to see what is going on before making assumptions and controlling the wrong variables! Second, there are many possible instances where it is not possible to manipulate variables and the only thing you can do is look for relationships that already exists. For example, all developmental classes are based, for the most part, on correlational research because we cannot manipulate age. Yes, we would like to be placed in the young adults group, but it does not work that way. Third, sometimes it is not ethical to manipulate variables. As an example, I always point to one half of my class and say, “so, we want to look at the effects of being bullied on the playground, and you get to be the group that gets beaten up,” and looking at the other half of the class, “and you get to be the bullies.” Then I say to the first group, “how do you like that?” They do not. There are certain things that we cannot do ethically, and bullying our participants is one of them. In conclusion, because these reasons mean that some topics can only be studied with correlational research, correlational research is necessary and invaluable.