Correlational research has which of the following characteristics? (Select all that apply.)

Question

a. Examines the strength of a relationship, to determine causality
b. Allows independent variables to be manipulated
c. Examines relationships among existing variables
d. Is always used to generate rather than test hypotheses
e. Examines differences under at least two conditions
f. Is non-interventional

Answer 1

ANS: C, F
Descriptive and correlational research are both non-interventional, in that the researcher does not do anything to the research subjects except measure them. No attempt is made to control or manipulate the situation. Correlational study designs examine the degree of relationship between or among variables. Neophyte researchers tend to make two serious errors with correlational studies. First, they often attempt to establish causality by correlation, reasoning that if two variables are related, one must cause the other. Second, they confuse studies in which differences are examined with studies in which relationships are examined. Although the existence of a difference assumes the existence of a relationship, the design and statistical analysis of studies examining differences are not the same as those examining relationships.