Question

Instructions: Write your responses to the following 5 questions for at least 5 of the 7 example news stories about correlational studies:

1. Identify X and describe how it is being measured
2. Identify Y and describe how it is being measured
3. State the direction of the correlation (+ or –)
4. Identify a possible Z (third) variable
5. Fully interpret the relationship between X and Y (in plain English)

Example 4: To Spoon or Not to Spoon? After-Sex Affection Boosts Relationship Satisfaction

What do you do after sex? If you don’t already, our new research suggests that you may want to spend a little extra time cuddling up with your partner. Across two studies, spending more time being affectionate with your partner after sex -- above and beyond the time spent engaging in sex itself -- was linked to feeling more satisfied with your overall relationship. In the first study, involving 335 participants (138 men and 197 women, all of whom were in romantic relationships and 90% of whom were heterosexual), people who reported a longer duration of after-sex affection were more satisfied with their sex lives and in turn, happier with their overall relationships. Although people varied in how long they reported cuddling after sex, the average amount of time spent being affection after sex was 15 minutes. So, go ahead and spoon for a few extra minutes after your next sexual experience; it might just help your relationship. Don’t have a partner, but still want a little (or big) spooning in your life? Apparently, there is a new service where you can pay someone (about $49 per hour) for a spooning session (however, there is currently no research to my knowledge on the benefits of paid cuddling).

Answer 1

X is After-Sex Affection and it is measured on Interval level

Y is Relationship Satisfaction and it is measured on the Ordinal level

The correlation is positive.

The possible third variable is the relationship period.

There is a strong positive relationship between After-Sex Affection and Relationship Satisfaction of a student. The more After-Sex Affection is, the higher the relationship satisfaction is.