It is important for you to able to analyze a correlational study and explain how it differs from a cause-and-effect outcome.
Using the same scenario you used in Part I and II of this project, you will now present your findings to your company or clinic staff, including CEOs (think about your audience).
Part A:
Provide a response to the following prompts.
Imagine your research team has been tasked with finding the correlation of 2 variables from your scenario. The data below includes 4 research participants’ data for variable 1 (high scores mean better of variable 1) and data for variable 2 (high scores mean more of the variable). The scores are as follows:
Person
Variable 1
Variable 2
1
1
10
2
1
8
3
2
4
4
4
-2
Describe the process your research team would go through by completing the following:
Create a scatter diagram of the scores.
Describe in words the general pattern of correlation, if any.
Figure the correlation coefficient.
Explain the logic of what you have done, writing as if you are speaking to someone who has never heard of correlation (but who does understand the mean, standard deviation, Z scores, and hypothesis testing).
Provide 3 logically possible directions of causality, indicating for each direction whether it is a reasonable explanation for the correlation based on the variables involved. Explain your answer.
Part B:
Assume your research is complete and you have written your research article. Now it’s time to make a public presentation for your company/clinic.
Consider your audience and the language you will need to use to make this presentation clear for all participants.
Create a 10- to 12-slide Microsoft PowerPoint presentation (cover slides and references do not count in this number) using the information you gathered and submitted in Parts I and II.
Include the following in your presentation:
Describe the problem and provide some brief background information about the situation.
Explain the research hypothesis.
Describe your sample and your sampling method.
Explain the 4 steps of the research process you followed.
Define the critical value and the test statistic your analysis provided.
Include your scatterplot and correlation findings from Part A.
Provide the main finding of the study. What did you prove or fail to prove?
Provide recommendations based on your findings.
Each slide must have 4 to 5 bullet points with 4 to 5 words for each point plus speaker notes. The bulk of your explanation will go in the speaker notes. This is where you will write and put what you would say when giving this presentation to your audience. This is an academic presentation; therefore, keep the bells and whistles to a minimum and make this a clean, professional-looking presentation. It is a visual presentation, so tasteful and related images are appropriate.
Format any citations in your presentation according to APA guidelines. Also, if photos are used, they need to be referenced according to APA guidelines.
