The Differences Between Correlation and Experimental Research in Respect to issues Causality and Prediction
In psychology there are two very useful research methods that can be used to find answers to psychology's questions. Depending on what questions you are trying to answer both can be very effective.
The experimental research method is designed to explore cause and effect. In experimental research, researchers manipulate one or more independent variables to see how the dependent variable is effected. Some problems with experimental research is: It's not feasible, it may not generalize to other contexts, and it may not be ethical in certain situations.
The second type of research is correlational research. Correlational research is designed to find naturally occurring relationships. When doing correlational research you collect data on two or more variables and see if they correlate at all. Unlike experimental research nothing is manipulated. The issue with correlational research is it does not specify cause and effect.
Below I have posted two links. The first discusses correctional research. In the third paragraph it gives a good example of a correlational experiment. The second link goes over experimental research. I found that the second paragraph gives a good explanation on how it relates to psychology.
Links:
http://psych.csufresno.edu/psy144/Content/Design/Types/correlational.html
http://psychology.about.com/od/eindex/g/experimental.htm
The experimental research method is designed to explore cause and effect. In experimental research, researchers manipulate one or more independent variables to see how the dependent variable is effected. Some problems with experimental research is: It's not feasible, it may not generalize to other contexts, and it may not be ethical in certain situations.
The second type of research is correlational research. Correlational research is designed to find naturally occurring relationships. When doing correlational research you collect data on two or more variables and see if they correlate at all. Unlike experimental research nothing is manipulated. The issue with correlational research is it does not specify cause and effect.
Below I have posted two links. The first discusses correctional research. In the third paragraph it gives a good example of a correlational experiment. The second link goes over experimental research. I found that the second paragraph gives a good explanation on how it relates to psychology.
Links:
http://psych.csufresno.edu/psy144/Content/Design/Types/correlational.html
http://psychology.about.com/od/eindex/g/experimental.htm