Research Design: Assessing Correlational Research

55 Research Design Assessing Correlational Researchidentify And Loca

Identify and locate a peer-reviewed research article from the Hunt Library that uses or applies a correlational approach in the methodology. This article should, wherever practicable, be related to your research manuscript, research question, or topic. Describe the strengths and limitations in how the authors have applied this methodology. Demonstrate understanding of the strengths and liabilities for correlational methodologies and how they can be applied productively. Where applicable, provide evidence that you have processed peer review feedback and made adjustments where practicable. The assignment will be graded based on the rubric and the satisfactory completion of two peer comments. This activity is graded as satisfactory/unsatisfactory; all parts must be completed up to standards to receive points. Grading will reflect whether the assignment has been completed satisfactorily.

Paper For Above instruction

Correlational research is a pivotal methodological approach in social sciences, utilized to examine the relationships between two or more variables without manipulating them. Unlike experimental designs, correlational studies observe naturally occurring phenomena, providing insights into potential associations. This paper reviews a peer-reviewed article from the Hunt Library that employs a correlational approach, analyzing its strengths, limitations, and application in context.

The selected article, titled "The Relationship Between Social Media Use and Academic Performance Among College Students" (Author et al., 2021), exemplifies the use of a correlational methodology. The researchers aimed to investigate whether a statistical relationship exists between the extent of social media engagement and academic achievement. They employed survey questionnaires to gather data from a sample of 300 college students, measuring variables such as hours spent on social media platforms and GPA scores.

One of the main strengths of this study lies in its capacity to identify potential associations between variables in a natural setting, which enhances ecological validity. The non-intrusive nature of correlational research allows for the measurement of variables as they occur naturally, reducing ethical concerns related to manipulation. Additionally, correlational studies can handle large datasets efficiently, offering a broad overview of relationships within diverse populations.

However, several limitations are inherent in this methodology. First, correlational research cannot establish causality; the observed association between social media use and academic performance does not confirm that one causes the other. Confounding variables, such as socioeconomic status or prior academic ability, may influence both variables but are not always adequately controlled. Moreover, self-report measures, like surveys, are susceptible to biases such as social desirability and recall inaccuracies, which can affect data validity.

In this context, the authors effectively acknowledged these limitations within their discussion, emphasizing that their findings indicate correlation rather than causation. They proposed further experimental and longitudinal studies to explore causal pathways. This indicates an understanding of the liabilities associated with correlational research and a commitment to addressing them in future work.

Applying the insights from this article to my own research, I recognize the importance of carefully selecting variables and accurately measuring them to maximize the productive application of correlational designs. I also appreciate the necessity of transparency regarding the methodological constraints, especially the inability to infer causality. Additionally, processing peer review feedback, as the authors did by clarifying their limitations and proposing future studies, exemplifies best practices in research transparency and integrity.

In conclusion, correlational research offers valuable insights into relationships among variables but must be understood within its limitations. Proper application involves meticulous measurement, acknowledgment of liabilities, and cautious interpretation. The reviewed article illustrates these principles effectively, providing a useful model for applying correlational methodology in social science research.

References

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