Quantitative Methods and Analysis - Essay Example

inserts His/her inserts inserts Grade   Correlation research is the type of social research that seeks to find the relationships that exist between different variables. In that case, there are usually three results in a correlation survey. These are positive correlation, negative correlation and no correlation at all. At the same time the degree of correlation between variables may vary and can range from -1 to +1. Under normal situations correlation research precedes experimentation and can also be conducted in situations where real experiments cannot be conducted due to practical or ethical reasons (Kendall, 2008).

In correlation research, information is normally gathered through questionnaires, interviews or through secondary sources. The variables in a correlation study are usually selected through a given rationale (Cohen, 2002). For instance one can seek to examine the attitude of students towards math and their mathematical modeling ability in the workplace. In that case one will seek to find out whether the two variables are correlated in any way. A correlation coefficient is then computed which is a quantitative value and will indicate the direction and the size of the relationship between the two variables.

The two variables are chosen because in one way or another there may seem to be a relationship between them. The results obtained from a correlation survey are very relevant and practical in the workplace. For investment purposes, the correlation between different portfolios can be determined so as to diversify and avoid investing in similar ventures. A business can also use correlation analysis to find out how different factors affect the sales volume. In the evaluation of learning, the study of correlation can effectively illuminate various issues that account for the disparities in learning abilities of the students (Adrich, 2008).

The study of correlation is therefore very relevant not only in the social sciences but in entirely all sectors of human life.ReferencesAdrich, J. (2008). Rank Correlation. New York: Harper-Collins.Cohen, J. (2002). Applied Multiple Regression. New York: Paragon Books.Kendall, G. (2008). Introduction to Statistics. Oxford: Oxford University Press.