Critical Thinking Flashcards
Reported results
When collecting data from people, it is better to take measurements yourself instead of asking subjects to report result
Correlation and causality
Just because two variables are related does not mean one cause the other
Small samples
Conclusions should not be based on samples that are too small
Percentages
Misleading, or unclear percentages are sometimes used
Loaded questions
Questions can be intentionally worded to get a desired response
Order of questions
The order of the items being considered can affect the response
Nonresponse
When someone either refuses to respond to a survey or is unavailable. the views of people who refuse to answer survey questions is likely to be different from those who do. These views are important data
Self-interest study
Studies that are financed by groups with interests to promote are biased from the outset
Observational study
A study which observes and measures specific characteristics, but does not attempt to modify the subjects being studied
Experiment
A study which applies some treatment and then observes ots effects on the subject
Random sample
Members of a population are selected in such a way that each individual member has an equal chance of being selected
Probability sample
Selecting members from a population in such a way that each member has a known chance of being selected
