Ch.14: Qualitative Data Analysis

Question 1

Databases

Answer 1

a repository of data
-what researchers access to retrieve data

Question 2

Datasets

Answer 2

a set of variables and cases that researchers use for analysis
-often comes from larger database

Question 3

Sample Size

Question 4

Rows(cases) v. Columns(variables)

Answer 4

Rows: cases or observations (indicate the unit of analysis)
Columns: variables (qualitative or quantitative)

Question 5

Units of Analysis

Answer 5

what is being studied

Question 6

ID Variable

Answer 6

a unique value for each unit of analysis (typically the 1st column in a dataset)

Question 7

Data Analysis

Answer 7

analyzing info that has been recorded to better understand or compare SW-related processes, programs, or policies

Question 8

Descriptive Statistics

Answer 8

the analysis of data that helps describe, show, or summarize data

Question 9

2 main ways of describing a variable

Answer 9

-Measures of central tendency & variability/spread

Question 10

Measures of Central Tendency

Answer 10

the typical, or central value far a variable

Question 11

Variability/Spread

Answer 11

the dispersion of scores for a variable

Question 12

Measures of Central Tendency

Answer 12

mean, median, mode

Question 13

Mean

Answer 13

the average of a set of numbers
EX: 2, 5, 5, 5, 6, 8, 10
Mean: 2+5+5+5+6+8+10= 5.86

Question 14

Median

Answer 14

the middle value in a sequence
EX: 2, 5, 5, 5, 6, 8, 10
Median: 5

Question 15

Mode

Answer 15

the most frequent occurring value
EX: 2, 5, 5, 5, 6, 8, 10
Mode: 5

Question 16

Measures of Variability

Answer 16

-Range
-Standard Deviation

Question 17

Range

Answer 17

the difference between the highest and lowest scores
EX: 2, 5, 5, 5, 6, 8, 10
Range: 10-2= 8

Question 18

Standard Deviation

Answer 18

a statistic that indicates how far scores in a sample are spread out from the mean

Question 19

Advantages & Disadvantages of each measure of Central Tendency

Answer 19

Mean: A- everyone understands and commonly used
D- can be skewed by extreme scores
Median: A- easy to calculate
D- no info provided by more extreme scores
Mode: A- not skewed y extreme score, useful for knowing the most
D: information is obtained about only 1 response value

Question 20

Univariable Tables

Answer 20

shows frequencies, %, or proportions of values for 1 variable

Question 21

Bar Charts

Answer 21

used with qualitative (nominal/ordinal) data
-shows the frequencies, %, or proportions of values for 1 variable

Question 22

Histograms

Answer 22

used with quantitative (interval/ratio) data
-show frequencies, %, or proportions of values for 1 variable
-good at showing how data is distributed

Question 23

Differences between Bar chart & histogram

Answer 23

-Bar Graph: qualitative (nominal/ordinal) & space between bars
-Histogram: quantitative variables (interval/ratio)
& no space between bars

Question 24

Boxplots

Answer 24

quantitative data; shows the distribution of a variable

Question 25

Pie Charts

Answer 25

best for emphasizing 1 especially big value or small value

Question 26

Descriptive Statistics

Answer 26

using numbers, %’s, proportions, etc. to characterize or summarize info about a particular group

Question 27

Infernal Statistics

Answer 27

statistical methods used to make generalizations about a population using a sample drawn from that population

Question 28

p-value

Answer 28

a number used to indicate that the result if a statistical test was not due to chance

Question 29

p<.05

Answer 29

acceptable cut off and statistically signifcant

Question 30

Hypothesis testing

Answer 30

propose relationship between 2 variables

Question 31

Alternative

Answer 31

the hypothesis of something being different than the null; statistically significant relationship b/t 2 variables

Question 32

Null Hypothesis

Answer 32

the hypothesis of no (null) effects; try to disprove or discredit; no statistical significance