Correlational Research

Correlational Research

As a researcher, suppose you are interested in the extent to which biological factors are associated with shyness in females. Assume you have access to 20 adopted children, all females, and you give each a shyness test. The test yields scores from 0-20 and the higher the score, the greater the degree of shyness. You also test the biological mother and the adoptive mother. Discuss the value of the correlation coefficients that you might expect to see if (a) shyness is at least partially inherited, and if (b) shyness seems to be primarily a function of the environment.

The discussion question specifically asks the student to:
Discuss the value of the correlation coefficients that you might expect to see if:
(a) shyness is at least partially inherited, and if
(b) shyness seems to be primarily a function of the environment.

Value in this context refers to the fractional number of the correlation coefficient. Yes, I am asking for expected “numbers” in two situations. What values would you expect for situations a and b above and why?
Note that in each situation there will be two values (children-biomoms; children-adopted moms).
So to fully answer the question, you should be discussing four values although selecting just one value in each situation will be acceptable as long as you are clear as to which relationship you are exploring.
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Hi Michael, Thanks for using BrainMass…Take care.

Shyness: (Genetic Vs. Environment) (Nature vs. Nurture): Debate

A noteworthy point in correlation research and statistics is that correlation does not necessarily mean causation. In other words, a correlation of or between two variables does not necessarily imply that one causes the reaction of or influences the other (Aldrich, 1995). A common and useful way of testing nature and nurture is through the classic twin-study method, in which researchers have compared the similarities between pairs of identical twins and same-sex fraternal twins. Adoption studies are another popular test in correlation research in which twins and their siblings that were raised together are compared to those separated by adoption. Such studies (twins and adoptees) have indicated that …