Discussion:
Self-esteem and happiness
Using your same research topic, describe a study that is a correlation. Remember, in a correlation, we don't manipulate variables and we don't assign participants to groups. We simply record the value of two variables (let's call them A and B); it's almost like having two dependent variables. Include the following.
1. Briefly remind us of your topic.
What effect does self-esteem have on happiness?
2. Clearly identify the operational definitions for both variables that you would record. The operational definition should tell us exactly what kind of numerical data would be collected. Be sure that your variables are measured on at least an interval scale; nominal data will not be acceptable. In this DQ we are looking for variables that can be used with Pearson's r.
3. State whether you expect the correlation to be positive or negative and explain why.
4. Using the variables in your study, explain the three possible causal relationships that can account for almost any correlation (A causes B, B causes A, or some third variable C causes changes in both A and B).