This article will examine aspects of correlational design. According to Fabiano-Smith (2011), correlational designs are non-experimental research designs that focus on observing variables as they naturally exist. Since this type of design is non-experimental, one of its main disadvantages is the emphasis on the relationship between variables and not the cause and effect between variables. Despite this weakness, the correlational design has several strengths. It observes variables as they occur in a natural environment, without manipulation. Researchers often use the initial establishment of correlation relationships between variables to identify which variables should be studied in more detail to determine cause and effect using experimental designs. Why was the correlational design chosen? Two of the three selected studies indicated that there was very little empirical data available for their specific area of ​​study. Establishing correlational relationships is a logical way to identify independent variables for experimental cause and effect research. McDuffie, Yoder, and Stone (2005) indicated that there were no empirical data available from their study of autism and prelinguistic predictors of vocabulary. Researchers on the effectiveness of patient communications and interactions have reported that previous studies did not specifically ask patients how they felt about their care (Shelton and Shryock 2007). These two statements make the choice of a correlational study the obvious starting point for research. The third study identified the need to clarify symbolic play as a possible independent variable since previous studies had grouped symbolic play and functional play into one category (O'Toole & Chiat, 2006). Was it possible to use a...... middle of paper ...... cleverly used the APA, and the teaching year exposed for the first time to the APA. The dependent variable would be the APA portion of the grade on the papers. If a correlation is demonstrated between low comfort or exposure and low grades, it might be possible to pre-identify students via a survey either to self-enroll in APA-style directed courses or to self-study the APA citation method. A correlation between year of first exposure and low grades could indicate that APA needs to be emphasized more in earlier writing courses. If no correlation is found, students who identify as unfamiliar or comfortable with this writing style could then be directed to APA study resources earlier in the semester to catch up on their delay. This study could help students advance their knowledge base so that they are not learning and correcting while writing graded assignments..