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correlational

correlational

1 6.8
Relating to a connection between two things shown by data
  • adjective
  • /ˌkɔːrəˈleɪʃənl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : correlacional
  • As such, the results of this study should be interpreted as correlational instead of causal.
  • correlational analysis
  • correlational study
  • correlational design

It doesn't distinguish causal patterns from merely correlational patterns.

Examples

  • First, our results are based on correlational data, and thus causal inferences cannot be made.

    Academic text (2013)
  • First, the study design was correlational, which limits understanding the direction of associations.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The major limitation in each of these studies is that they are correlational in nature.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Further research is needed to establish stronger correlational links to these variables.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Limitations for the current experiment include the correlational nature and lack of ability to directly assess cause and effect.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Second, the present study is correlational in nature; therefore, caution must be used in interpreting results.

    Academic text (2008)
  • In summary, all of the evidence presented in this review substantiates the correlational hypothesis.

    Academic text (1992)
  • The primary methodological limitation shared by all six studies is their common correlational research design.

    Academic text (2012)
  • To investigate these questions, we carried out a correlational study with EL and monolingual "English-only" (EO) fifth graders.

    Academic text (2013)
  • The researchers conducted a correlational study to examine the relationship between exercise and mental health.

Synonyms

associational
vscorrelational
  • Formal
1 8.5

Relating to groups like clubs and to how ideas connect in the mind

is focused on using statistical methods to study relationships rather than associations
correlative
vscorrelational
1 7.7

One of two things that match or depend on each other

is about statistical analysis of relationships rather than simple matching

Compounds

7.2

A way of using numbers to see how strongly two or more things are related

Methods that measure how two or more things change together

How Causal

causal
41 6.8
correlational
  • Specialized
1 6.8
noncausal
8.8

Surface Forms

correlational positive

Morphology

correlational = correlation (semi-transparent) = co + relate + ion + al

The word is formed regularly from 'correlation' plus '-al', but the full academic/statistical sense is somewhat specialized.

Etymology

Correlational comes from the parts cor- ('together') and relate ('to show a connection'), the same idea behind the simple word relation. So, a correlational study or analysis looks for how two things go together or are linked.