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EDU 702RESEACH METHODOLOGY
CORRELATIONAL & SURVEY RESEARCH
MOHD FIRDAUS BIN ABDUL AZIZ 2013204736MOHAMAD SHANIZAM BIN JASMANI 2013475344ZURA BINTI IBERAHIM 2013458564FARAH IZYAN BT SHAMSURI 2013486496NOOR HASMIDA BINTI MOHD KHAIR 2013895956
CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH
Definition
The relationships among two or more variables are studied withoutany attempt to influence them.
Investigate the possibility of relationships between only twovariables, although investigations of more than two variables arecommon.
A form of descriptive research because it describes an existingrelationship between variables.
PURPOSES OF
CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH
To help explain important human behaviors or to predict likely
outcomes.
PREDICTION STUDIES
Is done when there is already a hypothesis as to why something is
happening. Questions and tests are designed to support that hypotheses, and
prove if it is correct or not. It usually performed in relation to marketing or
when studying social phenomenon. For example, the current belief that
smoking causes lung cancer, although based in part on experimental studies
of animals, rests heavily on correlational evidence of the relationship
between frequency of smoking and incidence of lung cancer.
If a relationship of sufficient magnitude exists between the two
variables, it becomes possible to predict a score on one variable if a
score on the other variable is known. For example, high school grades
are highly related to college grades. We would predict that a person
with a high GPA in high school would be likely to have a high GPA in
college.
PROBLEM SELECTION Correlational study should be based on a sound rationale growingout of experience or theory.
Clarity in defining variables will avoid many problems later. Ingeneral, three major types of problems are the focus of correlationalstudies and one of the example is, “what are the relationships among alarge number of variables, and what predictions can be made that arebased on them?”
SAMPLE AND INSTRUMENTS The minimum acceptable sample size for a correlationalstudy is considered by most researchers to be no less than 30.
Samples larger than 30 are much more likely to providemeaningful results.
Instruments used to measure the two or more variablesinvolved in a correlational study may take any one of a numberof form, but they must yield quantitative data.
Most correlational studies involve the administration of sometype of instrument and that is tests, questionnaires and so on,and sometimes observation.
DESIGN AND PROCEDURES
Two or more scores are obtained from each individual in the
sample, one score for each variable of interest.
The pairs of scores are then correlated, and the resulting correlation
coefficient indicates the degree of relationship between the variables.
1. Problem Selection
There are 3 major types of problems:
Is variable X related to variable Y?
How well does variable P predict variable C?
What are the relationship among a large number of variables and what predictions can be made?
2. Sample
Should be selected carefully and if possible, randomly
Not less than 30
Basic Steps in Correlational Research
BASIC STEPS IN CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH
3. Instruments
Most correlational studies involve the administration of some types of instruments (tests, questionnaire and so on)
4. Design and Procedures
Design used quite straightforward
5. Data Collection
Data on both variables will usually be collected in a short time
Instruments used are administered in a single session or two sessions
6. Data Analysis and Interpretation
THREATS TO INTERNAL VALIDITY IN CORRELATIONAL RESEARCHThere are some threats identified in conducting
correlational research:
1. Subject Characteristics
Individual or groups have two or more characteristics; might be a cause of variation in the other two variables.
2. Location
Location is different for different subject
One location may be more comfortable compared to others
3. Instrumentation
Instrument decay; care must be taken to ensure the observers don’t become tired, bored or inattentive
Data collector characteristics; different gender, age or ethnicity may affect specific response
THREATS TO INTERNAL VALIDITY IN CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH
4. Testing
Experience of responding to the first instrument may influence subject responses to the second instrument
5. Mortality
Loss of subjects may make a relationship more (or less) likely in the remaining data
EVALUATING THREATS TO INTERNAL VALIDITY
Follows a procedure similar to the experimental research:
1. Subject Characteristics
Four of many possible characteristics
i. severity of disability
ii. socioeconomic level of parents
iii. physical strength and coordination
iv. physical appearance
2. Mortality
Loss of subjects can be expected to reduce magnitude of correlation
EVALUATING THREATS TO INTERNAL VALIDITY
3. Location
Threats could be controlled by independently assessing the job-site environments
4. Instrumentation
Instrument decay; observations should scheduled
Data collector characteristics; interaction of data collectors and supervisors is a necessary parts
Data collector bias; observers should have no knowledge of job ratings
HOW DO WE EVALUATE A CORRELATIONAL STUDY?
To evaluate correlational study, we might follow the criteria given below:
Adequacy of sampling for hypothesis testing
Display the results in matrices and graphs
Assessment of the magnitude of the relationship based on the coefficient of determination, values, effect size
Form of relationships and appropriate statistics
Identify predictor and criterion variables
Predicted the direction of relationship among variables based on observed data
Statistical procedures
WHAT IS A SURVEY?
SURVEY RESEARCH involves collecting data to test hypotheses /to Answer Q about people’s opinions on some topics or issue.
A SURVEY : instrument to collect data that describe one or more characteristics of a specific population.
Survey research is one of the most important areas of measurement in applied social research. The broad area of survey research encompasses any measurement procedures that involve asking questions of respondents.
A SURVEY : consists of a predetermined set of questions that is given to a sample.
A cross-sectional study describes characteristics of that population at one time, but cannot give any insight as to the causes of population characteristics because it is a predictive, correlational design.
Data are collected from selected individuals at a single point in time.
Effective for providing a snapshot of a current behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs in a populations.
Cross-Sectional survey
Information is collected at different point in time in order to study change over time.
Require an extended commitment by the researcher and participants.
Three longitudinal design are commonly employed in survey research : trend studies, cohort studies and panel studies.
Trend study
Longitudinal Surveys
• Examines changes over time in a particular population defined by some particular trait/traits.
• Researcher can analyze changes in attitudes, beliefs, behaviours within that particular population over time.
• is a form of longitudinal study (a type of observational study)
•Involves one population selected at a particular time period but multiple samples taken and surveyed at different points of time
•Cohort studies are largely about the life histories of segments of populations, and the individual people who constitute these segments.
Cohort Survey
Panel Survey• The same individuals are studies over time.
• The researcher survey the same sample of individuals at different time during the courses of the survey.
• Mail surveys•In-person interviews •Telephone interviews•Internet survey
Methods of survey research:
Conducting Survey Research
Aim: collection of standardized, quantifiable information from all members of a population or a sample.
To describe the characteristic of a population For example : • age•Ethnicity•Religious preference and others
SURVEY RESEARCH &CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH
Examine relationship of responses to one question in a survey to another or of score base on one set of survey questions to a score based on another set
Questionnaire of the variables are prepared, then the relationship determined by calculating correlation coefficients.
STEP IN SURVEY RESEARCH
1. Defining the Problem
2. Indentifying the Target Population
3. Choosing the Mode of Data Collection
4. Selecting Sample
5. Preparing Instrument
6. Preparing Cover Letter
7. Training Interviews
8. Using an Interview to Measure Ability
1. Defining the Problem
Should be interesting and important to motivate individuals to respond.
Define clearly the objective, each question relate to survey’s objective.
Using Hierarchical approach : identify large categories of issues ending with more specific issues within each category.
2. Identifying the Target Population The focus of the study in a survey is called
Unit of analysis.
in other types of research, the focus of study is called target population.
Unit of analysis can be objects, companies, classroom, school, government agencies etc.
3. Choosing the Mode of Data Collection
Direct Administration to a Group
Web-Based Survey
Mail Survey
Telephone Survey
Personal Interview
4. Selecting The sample
The researcher must know the right sample to answer the questionnaire.
And the researcher know the sample have the information about the question.
5. Preparing The Instrument
Questionnaire
- Self administered by respondent
- Attractive, not too long, easy to answer
Interview Schedule
- Ministered verbally by researcher
Avoid unusual words
Same Q must be asked of all respondent
Types of Question
Closed- Ended Q
Open-Ended Q
Improving Closed Ended Q
- Unambiguous, simple, short, common
language, avoid terms that might bias responses, leading Q and double Negative.
•Pretesting The Q’naire
Overall Format
- How the Q look is very important in encouraging the respondent to respond.
Follow up Q
- Called as contingency Q
6. Preparing Cover Letter
For mail survey
Purpose of CV: Explain the purpose of the
survey
Content of CV: Brief, emphasize the importance of topic, willing to share the result, Their respondent name will be kept confidential, specific date to returned, signed, enclosing a stamped n self addressed envelope…
7. Training Interviews
Need to be trained 1st
- Telephone
How to engage their interviewees, explain and ask Q
-Face to Face
How to establish rapport, move on a new Q and previous, when n how to follow up, Training in gestures, manner, facial expression and dress.
Training interview should include the general topic to be covered such as:- Procedures for contacting
respondent, introducing study, how to design the Q’naire, recording answer, rules n guidelines for handling the interpersonal aspects.