Research Methods Chapter 11

Front 1

Correlational study

Back 1

An approach to research that involves measuring different variables to see whether there is a predictable relationship among the variables

Front 2

Prediction study

Back 2

A correlational study in which the goal is to predict the value of one variable given the level of another variable, with the predictor variable often occurring before the criterion variable rather than simultaneously

Front 3

Criterion variable

Back 3

In a prediction study, the variable that an investigator is trying to predict

Front 4

Predictor variable

Back 4

In a prediction study, the variable that an investigator is using to predict another variable

Front 5

Correlational analysis

Back 5

A statistical approach used in research that uses any of a variety of correlational tests, regardless of whether the research is a correlational study

Front 6

Third variable problem

Back 6

In correlational studies, the problem in assessing cause and effect due to the fact that when two variables are correlated, an outside (or third) variable is responsible for any causation

Front 7

Directionality problem

Back 7

In correlational studies, the problem in assessing cause and effect when two variables are correlated when a researcher does not know which of two variables has a causal effect on the other

Front 8

Positive (direct) correlation

Back 8

A relation between two variables such that when the value of one variable increases, so does the value of the second variable, and when the value of one variable decreases, so does the value of the second

Front 9

Negative (indirect) correlation

Back 9

A relation between variables such that when the value of one variable increases the value of the second variable decreases and vice versa

Front 10

Scatter diagram

Back 10

A graphical representation showing the relationship between two quantitative variables, with one variable represented on the horizontal (x) axis and the other on the vertical (y) axis

Front 11

Linear relationship

Back 11

A relationship between two variables that can be represented graphically as a straight line, with the increase in value of one unit on the first variable being systematically associated with a constant increase or decrease on the second variable

Front 12

Nonlinear relationship

Back 12

A relationship between two variables that can be represented graphically as a curved line, reflecting the fact that a change in value of one unit on the first variable is associated with different amounts of change on the second variable, depending on the value of the first

Front 13

Pearson product - moment correlation

Back 13

A bivariate, correlational measure that indicates the degree to which two quantitative variables are related

Front 14

Restricted range problem

Back 14

In a correlational analysis, the failure to spot a real relationship between variables because the range of scores on at least one of the variables obscures that relationship

Front 15

Heterogeneous sub group problem

Back 15

In a correlational analysis the appearance of a positive correlation in an overall data set and a negative correlation in subgroups or vice versa

Front 16

Bivariate correlation

Back 16

A correlational analysis relating only two variables

Front 17

Zero-order correlation

Back 17

A correlational analysis involving two variables

Front 18

Higher-order correlation

Back 18

A correlational analysis involving more than two variables

Front 19

Multivariate statistics

Back 19

Statistical approaches that can accommodate simultaneous analysis of multiple variables

Front 20

Multiple regression

Back 20

A correlational technique that emplys more than one predictor variable to estimate the value of a criterion variable