Forms of Correlational Studies - Essay Example

Age can possibly provide an example of this relationship. As one age, resistance to diseases decreases. This means that the increase in age negatively affects resistance to diseases. Correlation studies can take many forms. Let us consider non-experimental correlation studies and quasi-experimental studies. Non-experimental studies involve measuring things as the objects appear. In non-experimental studies, the methods used include observation, case history, and surveys. It is unethical to manipulate independent variables.

Non-experimental values are used to provide solutions to problems and question existing realities. Lawrence Lisa (2011), conducted a non-experimental descriptive correlation study to examine the relationship amongst four variables, moral distress, education level, CRP and work ethics and how these variables affected nurses work engagement. The study found out that there was a positive direct relationship between CRP and work engagement and a negative correlation between moral distress and work engagement.

According to Ramos-Alvarez, Moreno Fernandez, Valdez Conroy, & Catena (2008), quasi-experiments are evaluations that attempt to determine whether a program or intervention has an expected effect on the participants. Quasi-experiments take different forms but usually lack aspects of true experiments. This is the reason quasi-experiments are not ideal for dissertation work. In a true experiment, there must be pretest and posttest design, treatment group, control group and random assignment.

For quasi-experiment, either one or two of these aspects are lacking. Raanas, Grindel & Herting (2012) conducted a quasi-experimental study to examine the health advantages of a bedroom window observe the natural background for patients undergoing a rehabilitation program. The funding for this research was that a blocked view appeared to influence negative physical health changes in women. For men, blocked views appeared to influence a change in mental health negatively. Cooper & Sandi-Urena( 2009) argued that in psychology, research is a required component of determining whether a given instrument is effective to show if the current understanding of human behaviour is accurate.

For accuracy, the instruments used for research must be valid and accurate. If the instruments are not, the study is likely to be termed biased or flawed. Validation of research instruments is thus an essential part of legitimate research. In order to validate instruments, a researcher must protect all four segments of validity. Construct validity is protected by precisely defining the construct. A construct is the subject of study and should be measured so that there is no ambiguity in the research.

Internal validity is measured by ensuring that the research work accommodates differences and external influences. In addition, external validity ensures that the study is applicable to a diverse group of people or individuals and finally conclusion validity is achieved by avoiding typing errors, missing words and other minor details that may create factual technicalities.