Question

Research Methods and Design I – Short Assignment #7 – Crazy Correlations

This individual assignment is related to your Chapter 5 (Salkind) material.

Below is a scatterplot between two variables – “Alcohol Consumption” and “Academic Performance.” Fill in the data table (Participant #1 through #20)! I’ll give you the academic performance score, so just make sure to find the corresponding alcohol consumption score using the scores on the X-axis of the chart below.

Subject #	Academic Performance	Alcohol Consumption
1	3.80	0
2	3.90	0
3	4.00	1
4	3.65	1
5	3.50	2
6	3.20	2
7	4.00	3
8	3.60	3
9	2.70	3
10	3.70	4
11	3.50	4
12	3.30	4
13	3.60	5
14	3.10	6
15	3.00	6
16	3.30	7
17	3.10	7
18	3.70	8
19	2.80	8
20	2.60	9

2). Does there appear to be a correlation between these two variables? If yes, is it a direct correlation (positive) or indirect correlation (negative)?

3). Calculate the specific correlation coefficient for this data. What does r =

4). What are three possible explanations for this correlation? (Note – These can include “third variable” explanations)

5) ). Now design an experimental study to investigate these two variables. What is your hypothesis? What type of hypotheses does the experimental method allow you to test that the correlational method does not? (Note: You can disregard ethical limitations here! Just design an experimental study rather than a purely correlational study). For the study you design, what is your independent variable? What is your dependent variable? How did you operationally define your variables here?

Answer 1

2. There exists an indirect or negative correlation between academic performance and alcohol consumption.

3. The value of r = -0.62

4. The three explanations for this correlation are:

• Individuals who consume alcohol have decreased attentional capacities which may result in low academic performance.
• Individuals who consume alcohol focus on pleasure-seeking activities and may refrain from studying for their examinations.
• Individuals who consume alcohol have pooer health outcomes which may interfere with their class attendance and subsequently, academic performance.

5. The hypotheses are:

• Null Hypothesis: Consumption of alcohol has no impact on academic performance.
• Alternative Hypothesis: Consumption of alcohol leads to lowered academic performance.

The variables:

• Independent variable: Alcohol consumption. This can be defined as the student's score on the alcohol dependence questionnaire.
• Depdepednet variable: Academic performance. This can be defined as the student's grade on their end-semester examination.