Psychology CAP 1

Musa Sukati
Although they both relate to a certain relationship between particular variables, there are some
discernable differences between a correlational relationship and a causal relationship. A
correlational relationship between two variables is the matching of the variations in the value
of one variable and the variations in the value of the other, while a causal relationship between
two variables is when the variations in the value of one variable are caused by the variations in
the value of the other. A correlational relationship usually has two variables, while a causal
relationship can have a third variable which causes the first two variables, which happen to be
unrelated.
A researcher may be able to effectively conduct a correlational study to explore the relation
between laptop usage and course grades. To begin his study, he would need to first measure
the pair of valuables which are laptop usage and course grades. To do this, he has to label
laptop usage using the number of laptops used during class and course grades using the
class average mark. This will make recording the measurements much easier since numerical
values can now be discovered. Secondly, he has to take down a series of measurements. To do
this, he has to begin with a class that has no laptop usage. He would then record the average
class mark through regular tests. Then he would need to record the average class mark in a
class with 5 laptops in use. Then he would record the mark with 10 laptops in use. He has to
keep increasing the number of laptops used while recording the average class mark each time.
Once he has collected all the data in a table, he can then graph it in a scatter graph. He could
then look for any pattern in the graph, or for any correlation. If there is a discernable pattern,
then that means there is a form of correlation between laptop usage and course grades. This
pattern should be in the form of a straight line with either a positive or a negative slope. That is,
the points on the scatter graph formed from the data collected should lie in a vague line for
there to be correlation. Only when all the data has been collected and graphed can the
researcher know what type of correlation it is.
By prediction, there can be three possible outcomes. The first one is a positive correlation. That
is, the average class mark increases as the number of laptops increase. This could be because
when more students have their laptops they are able to take down notes quicker by typing.
They are also able to utilize useful resources such as desire2learn, Launchpad and the internet
in general to gain more information and to study more effectively. The second outcome is a
negative correlation. That is, the course grades decrease as laptop usage increases. This could
be because, by using laptops, students end up not paying attention to the lecture being
presented by the lecturer. They may be using the internet to access social media websites and
other websites that are not conducive for learning. This may cause the grades to drop. The third
outcome is no correlation. The two variables may simply not be related.

A researcher may be able to effectively conduct a causal study to explore how laptop usage
impacts course grades. To do this, he would begin by making the statement that either, the
increase in laptop usage causes the increase in grades or the increase in laptop usage causes
the decrease in grades. To continue his study, he would have to consider a third variable that
could cause a change in laptop usage and a change in the course grades. A third variable may
be the amount of engagement done by the lecturer. If the lecturer effectively engages the class,
then the students will pay more attention to the lecture and therefore get higher grades.
During engagement, the lecturer may also decide on the level of laptop usage in the class. To
determine whether this third variable causes the increase in laptop usage and the increase in
course grades, the researcher has to eliminate differences in lecturer engagement among a
group of students and see if the correlation between course grades and laptop usage is
eliminated as well. He could then observe the students using the matched samples technique
or the matched pairs technique. These techniques do not eliminate the possibility of thirdvariable correlation entirely, therefore the researcher needs to conduct an experiment. He
could examine and interview each and every student in the class to find out if their laptop use
does affect their course grade.