Correlations Work Book
Activity 1: Identifying correlationsTry to identify other possible correlations that could be investigated:
The older we get… …. the slower our reactions become.
The less sleep we get… … the slower our reactions become.
July 2015
Activity 2: Scatter diagrams
Strong positive correlation Weak positive correlation No correlation
Strong negative correlation Weak negative correlation Perfect positive correlation
Perfect negative correlation
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Activity 3: Calculate the Correlation Co-efficient using Spearman’s RhoPsychologists are interested to see if there is a correlation between students’ scores on English and Maths
tests.
Using a sample of 10 participants, they have collated the scores for both English and Maths.
English 56 75 45 71 62 64 58 80 76 61Maths 66 70 40 60 65 56 59 77 67 63
Number of participants: N = 10
Pp.Variable One (English) Variable Two (Maths) Difference
between Ranks (d)
Difference squared (d2)Raw Score Rank Raw Score Rank
1 56 66
2 75 70
3 45 40
4 71 60
5 62 65
6 64 56
7 58 59
8 80 77
9 76 67
10 61 63
The formula is as follows:
Calculate the correlation co-efficient using the data above. Show your workings.
Source: https://statistics.laerd.com/statistical-guides/spearmans-rank-order-correlation-statistical-guide-2.php
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Activity 4: Drawing a scatter diagramUsing the data from the previous activity, draw a scatter diagram to show the relationship between the
variables of Maths and English scores (make sure you label it correctly).
English 56 75 45 71 62 64 58 80 76 61Maths 66 70 40 60 65 56 59 77 67 63
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Activity 5: Correlational HypothesesIdentify which type of hypotheses the following are:
There will be a significant positive relationship between number of pets owned and the amount of money
spent on pet food per week.
There will be no significant relationship between a person’s mood and the amount of chocolate they
consume.
There will be a significant negative relationship between the amount of time spent watching reality TV
shows and final exam grades.
There will be a significant relationship between amount of exercise in hours per week and weight in kilos.
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Write three hypotheses for the research above:
Alternate one tailed hypothesis
Alternate two tailed hypothesis
Null hypothesis
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A psychologist is researching whether there is a relationship between the amount of time listening to
music and self-esteem. She gives participants a questionnaire with two items: how many hours they
spend listening to music per week on average, and a likert scale question asking them to rate their self-
esteem from one to ten (where one is low and ten is high).
Activity 6: Correlation Assessment Activity
Questions from the Sample Assessment Materials
16. The psychologist’s hypothesis predicted a significant negative correlation.
Using this information above, explain what she was expecting the results to show. [2]
17. Write a closed question which could have been used to test participants’ understanding of the
meaning of a word. [1]
18. Explain why the data collected in this study is an example of quantitative data. [3]
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A psychologist was interested in the relationship between individuals’ language ability and their physical
co-ordination. She used a correlational analysis to investigate this in a self-selected sample of 34 adult
participants.
Each participant completed a language ability test. This test involved both having to spell a list of 20
words and answering 20 closed questions on the meaning of words. The participants’ physical co-
ordination was then calculated by rating them on six different tasks including balancing on a beam,
catching a ball and copying a dance routine.
19. (a) Name the graph that would be used to show a correlational analysis. [1]
(b) Name the section of a practical report where a graph would be presented. [1]
20. (a) Describe one strength of using a self-selected sample in this study. [3]
(b) Describe one weakness of using a self-selected sample in this study. [3]
21. Outline how each of the following ethical considerations could have been dealt with in this study.
(a) Confidentiality [2]
(b) Informed consent [2]
(c) Protection of participant [2]
22. Explain why the data from the language ability test may be criticised for lacking construct validity. [3]
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Activity 7There is an excellent post on buzzfeed which gives some great examples of real correlations:
http://www.buzzfeed.com/kjh2110/the-10-most-bizarre-correlations.
Click on the link and identify some possible explanations of the results. What interpretations could there
be and why may the results may be misleading?
1. Ice cream consumption leads to murder
9. Facebook caused the Greek debt crisis
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Activity 8 Working in pairs or groups of three, you are going to investigate the correlation (or relationship) between
two variables of your choice.
You will need to decide how you are going to measure your variables, for example self-report or
observation.
You will need to record your data carefully and considering ethics.
You will need to feedback to the rest of the group in your next Research Methods lesson and prepare a
report for peer review
The most inventive and well-presented correlation will receive a prize.
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Step 1: Decide on the variables that you want to measure (remember that the data you collect
must be quantitative and at least ordinal level).
Step 2: Decide on the method you are going to use to measure your variables.
Remember, if you choose to use self-report, you will need to devise a questionnaire,
containing two critical questions and filler questions.
If you are using an observation, decide on event / time sampling and create a coding
scheme.
Step 3: Collect your data (minimum 10 participants).
Step 4: Use your data to draw a scattergraph.
Step 5: Decide if there is a correlation between the variables you have chosen to measure.
Step 6: Produce your report for peer review.
Use the following to help with your procedure:
WH
AT
Variables? What are the two variables you are measuring?
How are you measuring them, get specific!
Operationalise your variables clearly and make
sure you are collecting quantitative data that is
ordinal / interval level.
HO
W
Minute details! How are you getting your information?
Questionnaire? Observation?
Detail step x step: what instructions will you give,
etc.
Ethical consideration?
WH
O
Participants? How will you sample your participants?
Who will your participants be? How many?
Gender?
WH
ERE
Location?(Don’t use real names, keep it
generic.)
Where will it take place and why?
WH
EN
Time(s)Day(s)
What day and time of day will you be doing it?
July 2015
July 2015
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