Final answer:
Correlational research finds relationships between variables, but it does not establish causality. A classroom example of a correlational relationship is the relationship between study time and exam scores. A therapy-based example of a causal relation is determining if a specific therapy technique reduces symptoms in individuals with anxiety.
Step-by-step explanation:
Correlational research involves finding a relationship between two variables, but it does not establish causality. On the other hand, causal relations indicate cause and effect, which is determined through experimental research.
An example of a correlational relationship in a classroom setting could be a study that examines the relationship between students' study time and their exam scores.
The researcher may find that students who study more tend to have higher exam scores. However, this does not prove that studying more causes higher exam scores, as there may be other variables at play, such as intelligence or prior knowledge.
On the other hand, a causal relation could be established through a therapy-based example. For instance, a therapist may conduct an experiment to determine if a specific therapy technique leads to a reduction in symptoms for individuals with anxiety.
The therapist would assign participants to either receive the therapy or not, and measure changes in their symptoms over time. If there is a significant decrease in symptoms in the therapy group compared to the control group, it provides evidence for a causal relationship between the therapy and symptom reduction.
The single-case design strives to identify causal relations. This research approach involves studying individuals or small groups intensively to determine the effects of a specific variable or intervention.
By closely monitoring the individual's behavior or symptoms before, during, and after the intervention, researchers can draw conclusions about the cause-and-effect relationship between the variable and the outcome.