Chap 7 Statistical Tests Flashcards
Alpha Level
The a priori probability of falsely rejecting the null hypothesis that the researcher is willing to accept. It is used, in conjunction with the p value, to determine whether a sample statistic is statistically significant
Alternative Hypothesis
The alternative null hypothesis. Usually, it is the hypothesis that there is some effect present in the population ( e.g. two population means are not equal, two variables are correlated, a sample mean is diff. from a population mean, etc.).
Confidence Interval
A interval calculated using sample statistics to contain the population parameter, within a certain degree of confidence ( e.g. 95% confidence)
Descriptive Statistic
Statistics that describe that statistics of a given sample or population. These statistics are only meant to describe the characteristics of those from whom data were collected
Effect Size`
A measure of the size of the effect observed in some statistic. It is a way of determining the practical significance of a statistic by reducing the impact of sample size.
Inferential Statistic
Stats generated from a sample data that are used to make inferences about the characteristics of the population the sample is alleged to represent.
Null Hypothesis
The hypothesis that there is no effect in the population
( e.g. that two population means are not different from each other, that 2 variables are not correlated in the population)
One-Tailed
A test of statistical significance that is conducted just for one tail of the distribution. (e.g. that the sample mean will be larger than the population mean)
Population
The group from which data is collected or a sample is selected. The population encompasses the entire group for which the data are alleged to apply.
Practical Significance
A judgement about whether a statistic is relevant or of any importance, in the real world.
p value
The probability of obtaining a statistic of a given size from a sample of a given size by chance, or due to random error.
Random Chance
The probability of a statistical event occurring due simply to random variations in the characteristics of the samples of a given size selected randomly from a population.
Random Sampling Error
The error, or variation, associated with randomly selecting samples of a given size from a population.
Sample
An individual or group, selected from a population, from whom of which data are collected.
Statistical Significance
When the probability of obtaining a statistic of a given size due strictly to random sampling error, or chance, is less than the selected alpha level, the result is said to be statistically. It also represents a rejection of the null hypothesis.
