Descriptive Research Flashcards
when is the median more helpful than the mean?
When outliers are present or wth a skewed distribution
what is a box plot good for?
large data
Which values are most helpful when comparing: ratio data?
median and mean
What is the value that occurs at the 2nd quarter mark of a percentile?
median
what are examples of descriptive statistics?
mean, median, mode, standard deviation, frequency, percentage and variance
What does historical research provide us?
a critical review of events, documents, literature, and other sources of data to reconstruct the past.
Is the range helpful if there are outliers present?
No
When is the coefficient of variation particularly helpful?
when comparing variation of 2 variables measured in different units.
What is the order of the central tendencies if the data is R skewed?
Mode < Median < mean
Why are measures of variability important?
- Helps determine the degree of variation within a population or sample
- can aid in determining how representative a particular score is of a data set.
What is the order of the central tendencies if the data is L skewed?
Mean < Median < mode
when is the standard deviation helpful?
helps to distinguish statistically significant data points from random fluctuations.
what is the downside of a case study?
Cannot generate a conclusion from it
what are the cons of a histogram?
does not show individual data points
What is the coefficient of variation?
it is a unitless measure that depicts the size of the SD relative to the mean
A stem and leaf plot is an example of:
a frequency distribution
Name the 2 major statistical outputs of categorical data.
Frequency and percentage
A right-skewed histogram is:
positively skewed
Why are frequency distributions important?
They allow researchers a glance at the entire data conveniently.
What is the mean?
the sum of all values divided by the total number of values
what are examples of levels of measurements?
age, test score, speed, gender, disease status
What is helpful when there are outliers present?
Percentiles
what is a case study report?
they help with describing interesting, new and unique cases
what are the postives of a stem and leaf plot?
shows individual data points
When is the coefficient of variation particularly helpful?
when comparing variation of 2 variables measured in different units.
What are the 5 measures of variability we are responsible for knowing?
percentiles
range
interquartile range
standard deviation
coefficient of variation
why is a box plot bad?
It is simplistic & don’t get to see all data
A bimodal histogram is representative of:
2 populations present
What are the uses of descriptive Research?
To define subject characteristics
to measure data trends
validate existing conditions
What are the cons of a Stem and Leaf plot?
Plot can get overwhelming fast
what are the disadvantages of descriptive research?
easy to bias
limited scope
What is the most common value used for measuring central tendency?
MEAN
Which values are most helpful when comparing: ordinal data?
mode and median
What are the benefits of historical research?
allows us the ability to understand why past events occurred
analysis of how present conditions
can influence current practice
helps anticipate future events
What is the median
the value of middle of ranked data
What does a descriptive survey provide?
aims to provide an overall picture of group characteristics through the use of surveys.
What are the 5 data points of a box plot?
minimum
Q1
Q2 - median
Q3
maximum
What type of frequencies can be used on a continuous frequency distribution table?
raw, relative, cumulative
what are examples of interferential statistics?
t - test, ANOVA, chi - square, fisher tests, effect size
what does normative data look at?
aims to describe typical or standard values for characteristics of a given population
What are the 2 major frequency distribution methods used for categorical data?
pie chart and bar graph
how is normative research expressed typically?
as mean within range of acceptable values.
When is the mean less helpful
when there are outliers present
A histogram is an example of:
a frequency distribution
descriptive statistics are:
statistics and data used to describe data.
What is a variable?
Any characteristic that can and does assume different values for the different people, objects, or events being studied.
What is the goal of statistics?
- provide a better understanding of the data collected and objectively solve our research problem.
- allows sets of data to be compared to gain meaningful analysis of trends and results
- provides a common language for researchers.
A left-skewed histogram is:
negatively skewed
inferential statistics are:
used to make a decision in order to answer a study question.
what are the data collection methods?
interviews
questionnaires
direct observation
databases
A right-skewed histogram is:
positively skewed
Which values are most helpful when comparing: interval data?
median and mean
what are the pros of a histogram?
visually and easily show center of data
handles data of all sizes
What is the mode?
value that occurs most often
What shape is a normal distribution curve of a histogram?
bell-shaped curve (symmetrical around the mean)
Which values are most helpful when comparing: nominal data?
mode
what are the benefits of case studies?
They help understand unusual patient conditions
highlights innovative interventions
generates and tests theories
provides crucial foundation for future clinical research
What type of frequencies can be used on a categorical frequency distribution table?
relative and raw (sometimes cumulative)
What does developmental research look at?
involves different descriptions of developmental change and sequencing of behaviors in people over time.
What are frequency distributions?
representations of the # of individuals in each category on the measurement scale.
What are measures of central tendency?
Summary measure that attempts to describe a whole set of data with a single value that represents the middle or center of it’s distribution.
What is the standard deviation?
average absolute distance of each point from the mean
Which measure of central tendency is used the least?
mode
what are the characteristics of descriptive research?
-provides foundation of future research
-prospective or retrospective data collection,
longitudinal or cross-sectional methods
-no control of variables
quantitative or qualitative
Levels of measurements is:
data in it’s raw form
