The phrase "correlational design" is widely used, even in some influential methodology textbooks. If we define "research design" (RD) as a "way of collecting data" (which in fact RD is, and which sets the process of designing one's study apart from the processes of analyzing the data - though undeniably the two are enmeshed in the research process), then in contrast to bona fide research designs (e.g., surveys, interviews, experiments), "correlation" cannot be a RD because we cannot use this term to describe how we collected the data. Rather, correlation is an analytical tool / statistical technique. As a statistical technique, correlation is used to analyze data obtained through implementing a variety of RD. Some methodologists have pointed this out (Vogt, Gardner, Haeffele, 2012). Should we gradually depart from using the term "correlational design"? What is your opinion?
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Vogt, W.P., Gardner, D.C., and Haeffele, L.M. (2012).When to use what research design. The Guilford Press: New York.
Dear Larisa,
The term "cor-relational design" is different than RD as each one is used to present different structure. RD is an important part in all types of research, unlike cor-relational design which is included in certain researches only.
RD is the structure of any scientific work. It gives direction and systematizes the research, the method you choose to get your results and how you conclude the findings. While, cor-relational design determines whether or not two variables are correlated, whether an increase or decrease in one variable corresponds to an increase or decrease in the other variable.
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