To prepare for this assignment:
Review Chapter 9 in your course text, Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences. Consider the strengths and limitations of using correlational data, in general, and as it relates to research in forensic psychology or in forensic settings.
Review the article, “Forensic Psychology: An Empirical Review of Experimental Research.” Focus on the strengths and limitations of empirical and correlational design.
Using the Walden Library, select and review two research articles covering different topic areas, both of which use a correlational design.
Think about the strengths and limitations of the correlational design used in each of the two research articles you chose.
The assignment (1–3 pages):
Briefly describe each of the studies in the two research articles you selected. Include a description of the results of the studies and the correlational relationship reported.
Explain the strengths and limitations of using a correlational design in each of the studies.
Be sure to address the following in your assignment:
Discuss correlation and what it means.
Summarize 2 articles and how they utilized a correlation approach.
Discuss the strengths of the correlation approach in the articles.
Discuss the weaknesses of the correlation approach in the articles.
Support your Assignment with specific references to all resources used in its preparation. You are asked to provide a reference list only for those resources not included in the Learning Resources for this course.
ANSWER
In the two selected research articles, correlational designs were employed to investigate relationships between different variables. Let’s briefly describe each study, discuss the strengths and limitations of the correlational design, and address the role of correlation in these studies.
**Study 1:**
Title: “The Relationship Between Stress and Academic Performance in College Students”
Description: This study aimed to examine the relationship between stress levels and academic performance in college students. Researchers administered surveys to measure stress levels and obtained academic records to assess performance. The results showed a significant negative correlation between stress levels and academic performance, indicating that as stress levels increased, academic performance tended to decrease.
Strengths of Correlational Design in Study 1:
1. **Naturalistic Setting:** Correlational designs allow researchers to study relationships in real-world settings, enhancing ecological validity.
2. **Prediction:** Correlation can help predict one variable based on the other, aiding in practical applications.
3. **Efficiency:** Correlational studies are often more cost-effective and require fewer resources than experimental designs.
Limitations of Correlational Design in Study 1:
1. **Directionality Problem:** The correlational design cannot determine causality; in this study, it is unclear whether stress causes poor academic performance or vice versa.
2. **Third Variables:** There may be other variables (third variables) influencing both stress and academic performance, which are not accounted for in the study.
3. **Measurement Reliability:** The accuracy and reliability of stress measurements may vary among individuals, affecting the validity of the results.
**Study 2:**
Title: “The Association Between Witness Confidence and Eyewitness Accuracy in Criminal Cases”
Description: This study aimed to investigate the association between witness confidence and the accuracy of eyewitness testimonies in criminal cases. Researchers collected data from multiple criminal cases, measuring witness confidence and comparing it to the accuracy of their testimonies. The results showed a moderate positive correlation, suggesting that as witness confidence increased, eyewitness accuracy also tended to increase.
Strengths of Correlational Design in Study 2:
1. **Applicability to Legal Settings:** Correlational designs are often suitable for studying complex real-world phenomena, such as eyewitness accuracy in criminal cases.
2. **Ethical Considerations:** In forensic psychology, experimental manipulation may not be ethically permissible, making correlational studies a viable option.
3. **Generalizability:** Findings from correlational research can have high external validity, allowing for generalization to real legal contexts.
Limitations of Correlational Design in Study 2:
1. **Causality:** Similar to Study 1, correlational designs cannot establish causality. It is unclear whether increased confidence leads to accuracy or vice versa.
2. **Confounding Variables:** Factors such as witness suggestibility, memory decay, or case complexity may influence both witness confidence and accuracy, potentially confounding the results.
3. **Retrospective Data:** The study relies on retrospective data from criminal cases, which may be subject to biases, incomplete records, or inaccuracies.
In both studies, correlation played a crucial role in quantifying the relationships between variables. It measured the strength and direction of associations, aiding researchers in understanding the nature of these connections.
In conclusion, while correlational designs offer advantages in studying real-world phenomena, they come with inherent limitations, primarily related to causality and potential confounding variables. Researchers must carefully interpret the results and acknowledge the correlational nature of their findings when drawing conclusions.