Psychology Research Methods Imagine Studying Correlation Research. Essay

Psychology Research Methods

Imagine studying correlation research. Is there a possibility that this measure can get used in an actual psychology study? What does a positive, negative or zero correlation mean? Can a relationship exist between two variables? One will study in depth correlation through much evaluation and research.

The correlational research method is appropriate when an individual wants to study two different variables to see if there is a link between them or not. These are used when one wants to predict the results as well as describe what could occur between the concepts involved for the study. For example, research was conducted by Mayer as well as in 2004. People were required to fill out questionnaires in hopes to determine if there is a correlation between nature and life satisfaction. As a result, a positive correlation was found, and the researchers determined that there was a correlation between nature and life satisfaction (Mayer & Frantz, 2004). Now it is important to give an instance of this particular study technique.

All the researchers used this method because they wanted to know if the variables of nature can encourage a person to have life satisfaction. When he or she is observing the outdoors and enjoying it, he or she can make the most out of the circumstance by taking advantage of the opportunity by means of fishing, swimming, hunting and so forth. This can become a motivator when taking pleasure in nature because of the prospect of spending time with animals, mammals and anyone or anything that is outdoors at that particular time. Through this, a person feels well-rounded because of feeling one with nature. They feel whole or complete through experiencing nature as if they were a part of it (Mayer & Frantz, 2004). This makes the experience worthwhile, and he or she may continue to take part in it on a regular basis because of how good one feels. Limitations are important to discuss as well when it comes to correlational research.

A person cannot determine the cause of the relationships. A correlation cannot always mean that something is caused. This is illogical because A cannot cause B; therefore, B does not cause A. They both go in different directions but one does not cause the other. One cannot cause the other to behave in the manner that it does at that particular time. An individual has to consider that there is a possible third variable involved that could cause the relationship, but a person has to consider that if one believes in this manner that the results are skewed. One more limitation is worth noting.

The generality with any correlation research is another limitation. This is because a specific number of people were studied. Furthermore, a person can look at to see if there is a relation between the two variables. One may have difficulty in finding out what is taking place if he or she uses general terminology and then uses it as a means in seeking to find out if there is a correlation. The importance of explaining a positive, negative and zero correlation is worth noting.

A positive correlation demonstrates that when one measure increases so does the other. When a negative correlation occurs, this is a decrease in one variable and the other. This makes them destructive. Furthermore, a zero correlation occurs when neither variable increases or decreases. Here are some examples worth mentioning from the chosen article for this manuscript. With this particular study, the CNS demonstrated a positive correlation with "ecological behavior, environmentalism, dispositional perspective taking and environmental perspective taking" (Mayer & Frantz, 2004). The numbers are as follows. r-.44, .37 and .50 (Mayer & Frantz, 2004). These are all positive, which do demonstrate a relationship between what one experiences when he or she is in the environment and how one behaves. With all of these variables with this study, the p