Microsoft Word Chapter 1 done doc

 
 
 
 
 

---

11
2.2.2 Correlation : 
 
Research question often ask, “are two factors related?” For 
example, does rain fall in particular region is related to the type of 
crops cultivated? Or how study habits are related to better 
performance in exams? Such questions helps us in finding the 
correlation among two factors. Research refers to these factors as 
variables. Correlation method is scientific and systematic 
observation of whether a change in one variable is accompanied by 
changes in the other variable. This method helps in investigating or 
establishing relationships among the variables. Correlation can 
range from zero to -1.00 or +1.00. More the departure from the zero 
indicates stronger relationship. These relationships can be either 
positive, negative or no correlation. However, it is necessary to 
explore that correlations focuses only on relation and not causation. 
For example, low self-esteem eventually leads to depression 
indicates relation but not the cause of depression; as depression 
could be a result of some life event. Though there are limitations to 
this method, it is a regularly used and trusted method in social 
psychology. 
2.2.3 The experimental method : 
 
As correlation speaks about the relationships among the two 
variables, experimental method gives explanation for the 
relationship. In short experimental method answers the ‘why’ of the 
relationship. The strategy experimental method follows is like; a 
systematic change in the one variable produces measurable 
changes in the other variable. In this way it tries to establish cause-
effect relationship which helps in prediction. 
In experimental it is assumed that (a) changes in one factor 
may produce change in another variable, (b) that the change can 
be measured. The variable that is systematically changed is called 
as independent variable and the variable that is measured for 
change is called as dependent variable. To illustrate this we will 
consider one example, thirty students were participant of the 
experiment where it was to investigate that does amount of food 
increases the levels of concentration in the classroom. For this 
experiment the ten students were given no food at all, next ten 
received only half the lunch than required and another group 
received complete meal as required. This is called as 
systematically making variations in independent variable. All thirty 
students were exposed to a lecture for one hour. Later rating scale 
was given to them on which all students have to report how much 
was their concentration, concentration was the dependent variable, 
where changes could be measured in the three groups according to 
the amount of food they received. This was a simple illustration. In 
an experiment there could be many independent and dependent 

---

12
variables. However, this is not all about an experiment, there are 
other factors that need to be taken care for a good experiment. 
There are two very important influences on an experimental 
research, (i) one is that all the participants in the experiment needs 
to be randomly assigned to the systematic changes made in the 
variables in the experiment. In short every participant should have 
equal chance for all conditions. This procedure removes errors from 
results like effect due to chance rather than experimental 
manipulation. (ii) Second is the question of external validity. For 
example, like our earlier experiment of amount of food and 
concentration, if the class happens to be close to a busy street 
which is very noisy then the effect of food amount gets confounded 
by noise on concentration rather than only amount of food. The 
point is that every research must have the ability to generalise the 
findings and it is indicated by the external validity of the research.