Lyubomirsky et al. (2005), posits correlational studies offer three classes of evidence that can be used to test a conceptual model. Discuss and define these three classes of evidence and provide relevant examples.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Ans: Varies.

First, there is descriptive evidence that characterizes the distribution of values or scores for a particular measure collected from a sample of research participants. These are the statistically computed measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode) and the variability of the distribution (range, variance, standard deviation). Second, is the inferential evidence from the computed correlation coefficient that answer the question as to whether any differences found are unlikely to be due to chance. Pearson’s coefficient is the most widely used correlation statistic. Third, is the sequence and time of association evidence of Longitudinal Correlation, which addresses if one variable precedes another in time and allows one to assess if one variable is predictive of another. For example, the Iyengar study longitudinal data show that scores on the Maximization Scale at Time 1 predicted emotional satisfaction and job salary assessed 6 months later.