Correlational Research vs. Casual-Comparative Research
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Correlational Research vs. Casual-Comparative Research
By: Chelsea Moore
Correlational Research
"Correlational research involves collecting data to determine whether, and to what degree, a relationship exists between two or more quantifiable variables." (Mills 2016)
Correlational Research
- What is it?
- Videos/Pictures
- Examples
Purpose
- to determine relations among variables
- use these relations to make predictions.
Here is a video to give you more clear understanding of correlational research.
Video
The correlation coefficient is used to compare both variables. This yields three possible outcomes.
Examples
Example: With cars the value of the car correlates with the age of the car. So if the car is the new the value will be higher but as the car gets older the values becomes lower. In a negative correlation when one variable becomes higher it cause the other variable to become lower. As the car ages or goes up the price value of the car will lower.
Example: With height we correlate the age of a child and height. As the child ages the childs height will increase. When one variable increases the other variable increases too.
Example:There is no pattern or relationship between the variables. For example the amount of times a basketball player makes a shot. Correlated with that basketball players height. Shorter players may make alot of shots or none. Vice versa some taller players make make multiple shots or none.
Casual Comparative Research
In causal–comparative research the researcher attempts to determine the cause, or reason, for existing differences in the behavior or status of groups or individuals.(Mill,2016)
Casual Comparative Research
- What is it?
- Videos/Pictures
- Example
Purpose
- "Established groups" are already different on some variable and the researcher attempts to "identify" the major factor that has led to this difference.
Casual Comparitive Research
Video
Casual-Comparative Research
Example
Example: Researchers may want to determine if a families household income causes an effect on how a child performs in the classroom.The researcher would look at families household income from previous and try to see if there a cause in the child's performance in the classroom.
Similarities
Correlational research, and causal–comparative research is sometimes treated as a type of descriptive research because it too describes conditions that already exist.
Correlational studies and causal–comparative studies help to identify variables worthy of experimental investigation.
Differences
Similarities and Differences
Casual comparative research looks for the relationship in those pre-existing conditions. This research cannot be manipulated.
An important difference between causal– comparative and correlational research is that causal–comparative studies involve two (or more) groups of participants
and one grouping variable, whereas correlational studies typically involve two (or more) variables and one group of participants.
Neither causal–comparative nor correlational research produces true experimental data.
Correlational Research studies involve two or more variables and one group of participants.
Causal Comparative Research involves two or more groups and one independent variable..
Conclusion
Correlational studies may be designed either to determine whether and how a set of variables are related or to test hypotheses regarding expected relations.
Correlational research may be in the form of relationship studies or prediction studies.
Correlational Coefficients are used to determine relationships between two variables.
Summary
An apparent cause–effect relationship may not be as it appears. In causal– comparative research, only a relation is established, not necessarily a causal connection.
Causal–comparative studies identify relations that may lead to experimental studies, but only if a relation is established clearly.
References
Mills, G.E. & Gay, L. R. (2016). Educational Research: Competencies for analysis and application (11th ed.). Pearson Education.
Correlational Research
https://youtu.be/TRP6LL3-ecg
Casual Comparitive Research
https://youtu.be/3tESnx4bS2o