Ch. 2 Key Terms Flashcards
observation
an act or instance of viewing or noting a fact or occurrence for some scientific or other special purpose
hypothesis
a proposition, or set of propositions, set forth as an explanation for the occurrence of some specified group of phenomena, either asserted merely as a provisional conjecture to guide investigation (working hypothesis ) or accepted as highly probable in the light of established facts
prediction
to declare or tell in advance; prophesy; foretell
experiment
a test, trial, or tentative procedure; an act or operation for the purpose of discovering something unknown or of testing a principle, supposition
variable
deviating from the usual type, as a species or a specific character.
experimental group
a group of subjects who are exposed to the variable under study
control group
a group of subjects closely resembling the treatment group in many demographic variables but not receiving the active medication or factor under study and thereby serving as a comparison group when treatment results are evaluated.
data
individual facts, statistics, or items of information
correlation
mutual relation of two or more things, parts
statistics
the science that deals with the collection, classification, analysis, and interpretation of numerical facts or data, and that, by use of mathematical theories of probability, imposes order and regularity on aggregates of more or less disparate elements.
mean
average of numbers
distribution
the frequency of occurrence or the natural geographic range or place where any item or category of items occurs
probability
a strong likelihood or chance of something
sample
a small part of anything or one of a number, intended to show the quality, style, or nature of the whole; specimen
risk
exposure to the chance of injury or loss; a hazard or dangerous chance
model
a representation, generally in miniature, to show the construction or appearance of something.
conceptual model
representation of a system, made of the composition of concepts which are used to help people know, understand, or simulate a subject the model represents.
mathematical model
description of a physical system using mathematical concepts and language.
value
the regard that something is held to deserve; the importance, worth, or usefulness of something.
decision-making model
describes a series of steps that decision makers should consider if their goal is to maximize the quality of their outcomes.
