Exam 1

Question 1

define what statistics is

Answer 1

procedures used for analyzing and interpreting data.
can also refer to the outcomes of the procedures

Question 2

what are the two main subcomponents of statistics?

Answer 2

descriptive
inferential

Question 3

describe what descriptive statistics is

Answer 3

• procedures used for organizing and summarizing data
• important characteristics, details

Question 4

describe what inferential statistics is

Answer 4

procedures used for making a judgement/guess/decision about the characteristics of the population based on characteristics of the sample

Question 5

is “population” known or unknown

Answer 5

the unknown

Question 6

is “sample” known or unknown

Answer 6

the known

Question 7

what is a parameter

Answer 7

measurement obtained from a population
denoted by Greek alphabet symbols

Question 8

what is a statistic

Answer 8

measurement obtained from a sample
denoted by English letters

Question 9

what is a representative sample

Answer 9

sample that accurately reflects the characteristics of the population

Question 10

what is a random sample

Answer 10

every member of population has an equal chance of being selected into the sample

Question 11

define “data”

Answer 11

refers to the collection of numbers or other pieces of information to which meaning has been attached

Question 12

what is measurement data

Answer 12

obtained by measuring the objects events, etc.

Question 13

what is categorical data

Answer 13

frequency data, count data… how often something occurs

Question 14

what are the 4 subsets of categorical data referred to?

Answer 14

scales of measurement
(nominal scale, ordinal scale, interval scale, ratio scale)

Question 15

define scales of measurement

Answer 15

the set of possible numbers that may be obtained through measurement process

Question 16

what is nominal scale

Answer 16

place items into categories
ex. gender, political affiliation, academic major

Question 17

what is ordinal scale

Answer 17

simplest true scale, order items along a continuum, order of magnitude
**don’t know how much more or less
ex. Fresh, Jr, Soph, Sr… small, med, large, XL

Question 18

what is interval scale

Answer 18

• each score indicates an actual amount
• equal unit of measurement separating each score
• you can have a score of zero, but it is NOT an absolute zero… therefore it allows for negative numbers
• ex. Farenhiet scale

Question 19

what is ratio scale

Answer 19

• each score indicates an actual amount
• equal unit of measurement separating each score
• a score of zero is an absolute zero. NO NEGATIVES
• ex. num er of calories consumed, number of pets

Question 20

define variable

Answer 20

anything that can take on more than one specific value

Question 21

what are discrete variables

Answer 21

variable that results in a whole number

Question 22

what are dichotomous variables

Answer 22

a subset of discrete variables, these result in 2 amounts or 2 categories.
ex. yes/no, true/false

Question 23

what are continuous variables

Answer 23

variable that allows for fractional or decimal amounts

Question 24

what is an independent variable

Answer 24

• the variable manipulated by the experimenter
• the variable thought to influence the dependent variable

Question 25

what is a dependent variable

Answer 25

- the variable that is being measured

Question 26

in experimental design, what are the three main groups

Answer 26

- experimental group - control group - random assignment

Question 27

what is the experimental group

Answer 27

group that receives 1 version of the independent variable

Question 28

what is the control group

Answer 28

treated just like an experimental group, but receive 0 amount of the independent variable

Question 29

what is the random assignment

Answer 29

everyone has an equal chance of being in either experimental group or control group

Question 30

list the 7 critical components to a good news report of statistical studies

Answer 30

1. source of research and funding 2. researchers who had contact with participants 3. individuals or objects studied & how they were selected 4. exact nature of the measurements made or questions asked 5. setting in which the measurements were taken 6. extraneous differences between groups being compared 7. magnitude of any claimed effects or differences

Question 31

define a random sample

Answer 31

a sample chosen from a larger set, chosen randomly and entirely by chance. each individual has the same probability of being chosen for the sample as any other

Question 32

define stratified random sample

Answer 32

divide the population into groups (strata) and then take a random sample from each group

Question 33

define cluster sample

Answer 33

divide population into groups (clusters). select a random sample of clusters, and measure *each member* of selected clusters

Question 34

define systematic sampling

Answer 34

divide list into as many consecutive segments as you need, randomly choose a starting point in the first segment, then sample at that same point in each segment

Question 35

list the problems in sampling

Answer 35

- using the wrong sampling frame - not reaching the individuals selected - getting only a volunteer response

Question 36

list the aspects of an experimental study

Answer 36

- researcher manipulated one of the variables & tries to determine how the manipulation influences other variables - researcher creates a difference in Independent Variable, and sees if the Dependent Variable was affected

Question 37

what are the advantages of an experimental study

Answer 37

more control, cause-effect relationship

Question 38

what are the disadvantages of an experimental study

Answer 38

unnatural behavior, Hawthorne effect, experimenter effects

Question 39

list the aspects of an observational study

Answer 39

- researcher observes what is happening, or what has happened in the past, and tries to draw conclusions based on these observations

Question 40

what are the advantages of an observational study

Answer 40

usually occurs naturally, study variables that can't be manipulated

Question 41

what are the disadvantages of an observational study

Answer 41

no cause-effect interpretations, expensive, time consuming