Verified Document

Correlational, And Experimental Research Methods. Term Paper

Some descriptive observation can even be unethical, if the subjects are unaware of the fact they are being observed. Historical research is similar to descriptive research in that it cannot, by virtue of its retrospective nature, affect the variables in question under tightly controlled conditions. A historian may examine historical or past trends in a descriptive or comparative way, and test a hypothesis by examining different types of data, like marital trends in 20th century America, for example, to see if people were marrying older or younger than in previous eras (Chapter 1: Introduction to Psychology and Research Methods, 2004, AllPsych).

A correlational method of research attempts determine if a relationship exists between two variables. Unlike experimental research, which attempts to make assumptions about cause and effect, correlational research assesses the strength of a relationship (Chapter 1: Introduction to Psychology and Research Methods, 2004, AllPsych). It can be useful for describing behavior and for suggesting...

Correlations can be positive or negative, such as the fact that there may be a positive correlation between a low fat-diet and low rates of heart disease (Mitchell, 2007). But correlation does not mean causation, as it might be that people with low rates of heart disease are also more affluent and have more access to exercise facilities, as well as have a greater tendency to avoid fast food that is high in fat.
Works Cited

Davis, John. (9 Jul 1997). "Experimental research methods." Department of Psychology.

Metropolitan State College of Denver. Retrieved 13 Dec 2007 at http://clem.mscd.edu/~davisj/prm2/exper1.html

Chapter 1: Introduction to Psychology and Research Methods." 21 Mar 2004

Psychology 101. Retrieved 13 Dec 2007 at http://allpsych.com/psychology101/research.html

Mitchell, Mark. "Research: Nonexperimental methods." General Psychology. Retrieved 13 Dec 2007 at http://psy1.clarion.edu/mm/General/Methods/Methods.html

Sources used in this document:
Works Cited

Davis, John. (9 Jul 1997). "Experimental research methods." Department of Psychology.

Metropolitan State College of Denver. Retrieved 13 Dec 2007 at http://clem.mscd.edu/~davisj/prm2/exper1.html

Chapter 1: Introduction to Psychology and Research Methods." 21 Mar 2004

Psychology 101. Retrieved 13 Dec 2007 at http://allpsych.com/psychology101/research.html
Mitchell, Mark. "Research: Nonexperimental methods." General Psychology. Retrieved 13 Dec 2007 at http://psy1.clarion.edu/mm/General/Methods/Methods.html
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Research Methods for Criminology and Criminal Justice
Words: 1861 Length: 6 Document Type: Research Paper

Today, social science researchers have a wide range of research methods available for criminology and criminal justice applications, divided generally between quantitative and qualitative methods. Although quantitative and qualitative research methods share some commonalities with respect to their overarching objectives, there are some fundamental differences involved that must be taken into account when selecting an optimal research strategy for a given research enterprise. The purpose of this paper was to

Experimental Research and Designs
Words: 588 Length: 2 Document Type: Essay

social science researchers have a number of different types of research designs available to them, including observational studies, correlational research, developmental designs, survey research and experimental designs (Neuman, 2009). This paper reviews the literature concerning quantitative survey research and experimental designs to provide a comparison of their similarities and differences, including their respective processes for selecting an appropriate population sample. In addition, a description of a respective strength and

Criminal Justice -- Research Methods
Words: 547 Length: 2 Document Type: Research Paper

Focus of the study will be males within the age group of 15-25 years old, with equal split across ethnic membership/race. Controlling for this variable is critical as this study will need to establish if there are differences in the intervention (short-term counseling) results across race or ethnic membership. The experimental group will participate in short-term counseling sessions, as described earlier in this proposal (i.e., weekly one-hour sessions for

Experimental and Correlational Research Designs
Words: 345 Length: 1 Document Type: Essay

Comparing and Contrasting Experimental and Correlational Research DesignsThe two research methods are both quantitative research methods. Experimental research designs are mainly used to investigate causal relationships and studying relationships between one variable and another. Correlational research designs mainly try to establish if there is a relationship between two variables. Correlational research is nonexperimental because the researcher will be measuring two variables and assessing their statistical relationship. While experimental research will

Research Question and Hypothesis
Words: 938 Length: 3 Document Type: Essay

motivation to learn, followed by an educated and informed research question. After the research question has been narrowed down, the researcher conceptualizes how the question may be answered feasibly, within the constraints of time and budget. Such constraints can help guide the research questions into a workable hypothesis that is testable, as well as being relevant and meaningful to healthcare stakeholders. From here, the researcher can glean a cogent

Nursing Research Methods and Examination
Words: 1206 Length: 4 Document Type: Essay

Topic: 1 My research is being designed to investigate the efficacy of a culturally appropriate and targeted diabetes education program on the reduction of A1C levels after six months. The population I am focusing on is Asian Americans with Type II diabetes, within a specific age range. My hypothesis is that after three months of the program, the A1C levels of the experimental group will be lower than they were prior

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now