Question

Compare and contrast correlational and experimental research. Be sure to address the strengths and weakness of each approach.

Answer 1

Correlational research refers to a form of the non-experimental, method of study wherein a researcher assesses two variables, comprehends and measures the relationship (negative or positive) between them without having any influence from an extraneous variable. it is used when the investigator wants to know if the concerned variables are connected to one another in any way. This implies that if a decline or rise in a variable corresponds to a decrease or increase in the other variable. The correlation among variable is illustrated through a correlation coefficient which calculates the direction and the strength of the association among variables. Its magnitude lies between -1 and +1 with negative sign illustrating the opposite association and positive sign representing the linear association. The magnitude near to +1 demonstrates positive correlation, whereas the correlational value close to -1 displays a negative correlation.

Advantages:

• The investigator can gather a lot of data.
• It is more ecologically valid as the research is carried out in natural settings.
• It leaves great scope for further exploration by different researchers.

Weaknesses:

• It just reveals a particular relationship without informing about its cause.
• Confounding variables may go undetected.

Experimental research refers to an investigation performed in a scientific and systematic manner, wherein a set of factors (variables) are maintained to be constant while a varied set of factors are assessed or measured as the experimental subject. This is among the fundamental qualitative methods of research. In this method, an independent variable denotes the variable which the researcher modifies, or alters to note the influence of this manipulation on the other (dependent) variable. The dependent variable denotes to the variable which the investigator assesses by making alterations and modifications in the independent variable. Variations in independent variables lead to influences on dependent variables. This lets the investigator to easily detect and record the cause and effect link among the concerned variables.

Advantages:

• It offers complete information regarding the causal association.
• The investigator can have easy control over the concerned variables.

Weaknesses:

• It can sometimes yield fake and incorrect results.
• Personal bias on the part of the researcher may interfere in the results.
• Measuring responses from human beings may be a difficult task to perform.