CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH

To Fulfill the Assignment

“RELT II”

Supervisor:
Arfiyan Ridwan, M.Pd

By:
Group 3

1. Faisal Anam NPM. 1635511009

2. Fitri Barokah NPM. 1635511011
3. Jamiatul Latifah M.R NPM. 1635511016
4. Musahroh NPM. 1635511020
5. Septi Sundari NPM. 1635511028
6. Rizki Amalia NPM. 1635511037

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
STKIP PGRI BANGKALAN
2019

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 PREFACE

With praising Allah SWT who has given us his grace and hidayah, so we
can have the chance to finish this paper entitled “Correlational Research” to fulfill
RELT II subject.
The writers also thank to Mr. Arfiyan Ridwan, M.Pd as the lecturer of
RELT II subject that has given us directions and instructions in writing this paper
so we can finish it well.
The writers realize that this paper still has some deficiency such as in
writing term or the content. Therefore, the writers expect the good critism and
suggestion from the readers to the worthiness of this paper. Finally, we hope that
this paper will be useful for the reader and give lots of advantages.

Bangkalan, April 2019

The writer

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE .............................................................................................................. i

TABLE OF CONTENTS ...................................................................................... ii

CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................ 1

1.1 Background of Study .................................................................................. 1
1.2 Problem Formulation .................................................................................. 2
1.3 Purpose.........................................................................................................2

CHAPTER II. DISCUSSION...............................................................................3

2.1 Definition and Concept of Correlational Research......................................3
2.2 Stages of Correlational Research.................................................................4
2.3 Practical Example of Correlational Research..............................................8

CHAPTER III. CLOSING...................................................................................8

3.1 Conclusion...................................................................................................8
3.2 Suggestion...................................................................................................8

REFERENCES.....................................................................................................9

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 CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of Study

Research is a process to finding out something systematically in
considerable amount of time by using the scientific method along with the
rules that must applied. Based on the method there are three types of the
research namely, historical research, descriptive research and experimental
research. Correlational research in the field of education or economics has
been carried out by several researchers. And correlational research is one of
kinds of research that is widely used and has influenced of the development of
science in the field of education. Actually, the correlational research is almost
same as other types of research. But in this study the researchers tried to
combine two different variables in phenomena by determining the level or
degree of two variables. So from the levels of correlation, the researchers hope
that the understanding of some factors in complex characteristics of
phenomena will be continue to grow up and developed.
Correlational research is a study that involves the act f collecting data to
determine whether there is relationship and level of relation between the two
variables. The existence of the relationship and the level of variables is very
important, because by knowing the result the researchers will further to
develop it, depend on what they will study. Gay (2012) defined that
correlational research is one part of ex-post facto research because the
researchers usually will not manipulate exiting variables and immediately seek
the level of relation between the two variables.

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1.2 Problem Formulation
a. What are definition and concept of correlational research?
b. How is the research stage of correlational research?
c. How is the practical example of correlational research?

1.3 Purpose of Study

a. To know the definition and concept of correlational research.
b. To know the research stage of correlational research.
c. To know the practical example of correlational research.

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 CHAPTER II
DISCUSSION

2.1 Definition and Concept of Correlational Research

Correlational research is a type of quantitative research, in which a
researcher measures two variables and assesses the statistical relationship
between them with no influence from any extraneous variable. Leedy and
Ormrod (2010) as cited in Curtis, Comiskey, & Dempsey (2016) define that
correlational research is a research which is concern with establishing two or
more variables in the same population or between the same variables in two
populations. The purpose of correlational research is to investigate the extent to
which differences in one characteristic or variable are related to differences in
one or more other characteristics or variables. A correlation occurs if one
variable (X) increases and another variable (Y) increases or decreases.
Furthermore, according to Mukaka (2012) correlational research is a
research method used to assess a possible linear association between two
continuous variables. It is simple both to calculate and to interpret. In
correlational research, the relationship among two or more variables is studied
without any attempt to influence them. In their simplest form, correlational
studies investigate the possibility or relationship between only two variables,
although investigations of more than two variables are common. In contrast to
experimental research, however, there is no manipulation of variables in
correlational research. The design is used to examine a relationship between
two concepts. There are two broad classifications of relational statements. An
association between two concepts where there is some kind of influences of
one on the other, and a casual relationship where one causes changes to occur
in the other (Walliman, 2011).
Correlational research is also sometimes referred to as a form of
descriptive research because it describes an existing relationship between
variables. A correlational study describes the degree to which two or more
quantitative variables are related. When a correlation is found to exist between
two variables, it means that scores within a certain range on one variable are

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 associated with scores within a certain range on the other variable. A positive
correlation means high scores on one variable tend to be associated with high
scores on the other variable, while low scores on one are associated with low
scores on the other. On the other hand, a negative correlation means high
scores on one variable are associated with low scores on the other variable, and
low scores on one are associated with high scores on the other.

2.2 Research Stage of Correlational Research

Similar to survey research and most any other quantitative research
study, the basic steps in conducting a correlational research study are fairly
straightforward (Gay, Mills, & Airasian, 2012):
a. Identification of the topic to be studied. Since correlational studies are
designed either to measure relationships between variables or to test
hypotheses about prediction, variables should be selected based on some
logical rational. Correlational research where the researcher attempts to
correlate a large number of variables just to “see what turns up” is strongly
discouraged. This is more like a “fishing expedition” than a research
study. Also important to note, when stating research questions or
hypotheses, it is appropriate to use the term relationship or prediction (e.g.,
what is relationship between chronological age and mathematical ability?
Or can mathematical ability be predicted from chronological age?).
Researcher sometimes use these term in research questions for other types
of research; however, their use will clearly imply that correlational design
is being implemented.
b. Review of the related literature. Reviewing the related literature is again
useful to identify strategies for conducting a correlational study, as well as
provides guidance about what has previously been learned about the
relationship between the variables of interest. Related literature can also
help appropriately contextualize interpretation of correlation coefficients.
c. Identification and selection of participants. In correlation research,
participants are selected through the use of an appropriate sampling
method. The minimally acceptable sample size for correlational studies is

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 30 participants. If there is concern about the validity and reliability of the
variables being measured, however, it is advisable to use a large sample.
d. Specification of the design and procedures for data collection. The basic
design of a correctional study is straightforward. Scores on two or more
variables of interest are collected for each member of the sample the pairs
of scores making up the data set are then correlated, meaning a correlation
coefficient is computed for the two sets of scores.
e. Collection of the data. Data are collected in manner appropriate for the
variables of interest. For example, in the hypothetical study we have been
using to examine correlational research, the researcher would ask students
to report how many hours they studied and would then collect the actual
test scores from the teacher. Care would need to be taken to ensure that,
when the data were compiled into a database or spreadsheet, the scores
were paired accurately for each participant. In other words, the number of
hours Kate spent studying would need to be paired with her test score. If
the scores were randomly mixed in the data file, the resulting correlation
coefficient would be entirely inaccurate.
f. Analysis of the data. The analysis of correlational data involves
calculation of a correlation coefficient. You will learn in chapter 13 that
there are many different types of correlation coefficient, depending on the
level of measurement for each variable. However, the processes of the data
collection and analysis are essentially the same for any correlational
research study.
g. Answering research questions and drawing conclusion. The result of the
correlational analyses should permit the researcher to answer the guiding
research questions, or address the hypotheses, for the study. Once this has
been done, inference about the nature of the relationship between the
variables of interest within the population can be drawn and appropriate
associational-but not causal-conclusions about the study asserted.

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2.2.1 The Correlational Research Process
a. Problem Selection
The variables to be included in a correlational study should be on a sound
rationale growing out of experience or theory. The researcher should have
some reason for thinking certain variables may be related. As always, clarity
is defining variables will avoid many problems later on. In general, three
major types of problems are the focus of correlational studies:
1. Is variable X related to variable Y?
2. How well does variable P predict variable C?
3. What are the relationships among a large number of variables, and what
predictions can be made that are based on them?

b. Sample
The sample for a correlational study, as in any type of study, should be
selected carefully and if possible, randomly. The first step in selecting a
sample, of course, is to identify an appropriate population, one that is
meaningful and from which data on each of the variables of interest can be
collected. The minimum acceptable sample size for a correlational study is
considered by most researchers to be no less than 30. Data obtained from a
sample smaller than 30 may give an inaccurate estimate of the degree of
relationship. Samples that is larger than 30 are much more likely to provide
meaningful results.

c. Instruments
The instruments used to measure the two (or more) variables involved in a
correlational study may take any one of a number of forms, but they must
yield quantitative data. Although data sometimes can be collected from
records of one sort or another (grade transcripts, for example), most
correlational studies involve the administration of some type of instrument
(tests, questionnaires, and so on) and sometimes observation. As with any
study, whatever instruments are used must yield reliable scores. In an
explanatory study, the instruments must also show evidence of validity. If

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they do not truly measures the intended variables, then any correlation that
is obtained will not be an indication of the intended relationship. In a
prediction study, it is not essential that we know what variable is actually
being measured. If it works a predictor, it is useful. However, prediction
studies are most likely to be successful, and certainly more satisfying, when
we know what we are measuring.

d. Data Collection
In an explanatory study, all the data on both variables will usually be
collected within a fairly short time. Often, the instruments used are
administered in a single session, or in two sessions one immediately after
the other. Thus, if a researcher were interested in measuring the relationship
between verbal aptitude and memory, a test of verbal aptitude and another
of memory would be administered closely together to the same group of
subjects. In a prediction study, the measurement of the criterion variables
often takes place sometime after the measurement f predictor variables. If a
researcher was interested in studying the predictive value of a mathematics
aptitude test, the aptitude test might be administered just prior to the
beginning of a course in mathematic. Success in the course (the criterion
variable, as indicated by course grades) would then be measured at the end
of the course.

e. Data Analysis
When variables are correlated, a correlation coefficient is produced. This
coefficient will be a decimal, somewhere between 0.00 and +1.00 or -1.00.
The closer the coefficient is to +1.00 or -1.00, the stronger the relationship.
If the sign is positive, the relationship is positive, indicating that high scores
on one variable tend to go with high scores on the other variable. If the sign
is negative, the relationship is negative, indicating that high scores on one
variable tend to go with low scores on the other variable. Coefficients that
are at or near .00 indicate that no relationship exists between the variables
involved.

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 CHAPTER III
CLOSING

3.1 Conclusion
Correlational research is a type of quantitative research, in which a
researcher measures two variables and assesses the statistical relationship
between them with no influence from any extraneous variable. The purpose
of correlational research is to investigate the extent to which differences in
one characteristic or variable are related to differences in one or more other
characteristics or variables. A correlation occurs if one variable (X)
increases and another variable (Y) increases or decreases.
Furthermore, according to Gay, Mills, & Airasian (2012) the steps in
conducting correlational research are identification of the topic to be
studied, review of the related literature, identification and selection of
participants, specification of the design and procedures for data collection,
collection of the data, analysis of the data, answering research questions and
drawing conclusion.

3.2 Suggestion
Thus, the paper that contains about definition and concept of
correlational research, stages of correlational research, and the practical
example of correlational research, it is aimed to help us knowing the
introduction of correlational research in detail. So, the writers hope that this
paper will give many profits for all of the readers or the students. In the
other side, the writers realize that this paper is not thoroughly perfect.
Therefore, we need your good suggestion and the criticism for the paper to
be better.

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 REFERENCES

Curtis, E. A., Comiskey, C., & Dempsey, O. (2016). Importance and Use of
Correlational Research. 23 (6), 20.

Gay, L. R., Mills, G. E., & Airasian, P. (2012). Educational Research (Tenth
Edition ed.). United States of America: Pearson Education .

Mukaka, M. M. (2012). Statistics Corner: A Guide to Appropriate Use of

Correlation Coefficient in Medical Research. Malawi Medical Journal , 24
(3), 69.

Walliman, N. (2011). Research Methods (First ed.). London and New York:
Routledge .