Related to the research questions and limitations on implications or findings (causal vs. relational):
What are the basic research designs?
What are the corresponding or additional questions used?
What analytical methods are used?
Related to the research questions and limitations on implications or findings (causal vs. relational):
What are the basic research designs?
What are the corresponding or additional questions used?
What analytical methods are used?
Correlational research aims to explore the nature of the relationship between two or more variables. It addresses whether two variables move together, but not if one causes the other.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Basic Research Question | Is there a relationship between variable A and variable B? What is the strength and direction of that relationship? |
| Corresponding Questions | Does a change in study time relate to a change in test scores? Is there an association between diet and disease risk? Do social media usage and self-esteem covary? |
| Analytical Methods | Primarily uses bivariate statistical analysis: * Correlation Coefficients (Pearson's $r$, Spearman's $\rho$). * Regression Analysis (Simple and Multiple Regression) to predict one variable from others. * Chi-Square Tests for associations between categorical variables. |
| Implication Limit | Findings are relational. Correlation does not imply causation (due to potential third variables or the directionality problem). |
Experimental research is the only design that can determine a cause-and-effect relationship between variables. It involves manipulating one variable (the independent variable, or IV) and measuring its effect on another (the dependent variable, or DV), typically using control groups and random assignment.
There are three basic categories of research designs, each answering different types of questions and utilizing corresponding analytical methods.
Descriptive research aims to define, describe, and quantify a phenomenon or population. It addresses what is happening without explaining why or how.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Basic Research Question | What are the characteristics of a population or phenomenon? How often does an event occur? What is the magnitude of the problem? |
| Corresponding Questions | How many people hold a certain opinion? What is the prevalence of a disease? What are the features of a social group? |
| Analytical Methods | Primarily uses univariate statistical analysis (statistics involving only one variable at a time): * Measures of Central Tendency (Mean, Median, Mode). * Measures of Dispersion (Standard Deviation, Range, Variance). * Frequencies and Percentages (e.g., surveys, census data). * Observational techniques (e.g., ethnography, case studies). |