Data Collection And Experimental Design

Question 1

Census

Answer 1

Is a count or measure of an entire population.
Provides complete information but is often costly and difficult to perform.

Question 2

Confounding Variable

Answer 2

Occurs when an experimenter cannot tell the difference between the effects of different factors on the variable.

Question 3

Double Blind Experiment

Answer 3

Neither the experimenter nor the subjects know whether the subjects are receiving a treatment or a placebo.
The experimenter is informed after all the data is collected.
This method is preferred by researchers.

Question 4

Experiment

Answer 4

A treatment is applied to a part of a population and responses are observed.
Contains 2 groups:
A) treatment group - receives treatment
b) control group - does not receive treatment

Question 5

Matched Pair

Answer 5

Subjects are paired up according to a similarity.
One subject receives one treatment and the other receives a different treatment.

Question 6

Observation Study

Answer 6

A researcher does not influence the responses.
Observes and measures characteristics of interest of part of a population but does not change existing conditions.

Question 7

Randomization

Answer 7

Is a process of randomly assigning subjects to different treatment groups.

Question 8

Sampling Error

Answer 8

Is the difference between the results of a sample and those of the population.

Question 9

Simple Random Sample

Answer 9

Sample in which every possible sample of the same size has the same chance of being selected.
Collection: assign a different number to each member of a population sample and use a random number to select.

Question 10

Simulation

Answer 10

Is the use of a mathematical or physical model to reproduce the conditions of a situation or process.
Allows one to study situations that re impractical or even dangerous to create in real life.
Collecting data often uses computers.

Question 11

Survey

Answer 11

Investigation of one or more characteristics of a populations.
Usually carrier out on people by asking them questions.
Common modes: telephone, internet or mail.

Question 12

Placebo Effect

Answer 12

Occurs when a subject reacts favorably to a placebo when in fact the subject has been given a fake treatment.

Question 13

Blinding

Answer 13

Is a technique where the subject do not know whether they are receiving a treatment or a placebo.

Question 14

Sample Size

Answer 14

Is the number of subjects in a study.
Important part of an experiment design.

Question 15

Sampling

Answer 15

Is a count or measure of part of a population.
Used more in statistical studies.