A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

Correlational research is designed to examine the statistical relationship between two variables, determining whether and how strongly pairs of variables are related. This type of research identifies patterns and associations, allowing researchers to understand how changes in one variable might correspond to changes in another. It does not make assertions about causation; therefore, it does not imply that one variable causes changes in the other. Instead, correlational research focuses on the strength and direction of a relationship, typically quantified through correlation coefficients. In contrast, the other options delve into areas that correlate with aspects of psychology but do not accurately reflect the focus of correlational research. Understanding the limitations and applications of correlational research is crucial in psychology, particularly to avoid misinterpretation of findings as implying causation where it does not exist.