Inferential Statistical Tests Flashcards
What is probability?
A numerical measure of the chance (or likelihood) that certain events will occur.
What is the equation that is used to calculate the probability of a particular outcome.
the number of particular outcomes / the number of possible outcomes.
Why do we use statistical tests?
To assess the probability that a set of results are down to chance as opposed to representing a real effect.
What is a significant result?
A result that is strong enough for us to be confident it represents a real effect.
What is the standard level of significance?
p ≤ 0.05
What does p ≤ 0.05 mean?
The probability that the results were due to chance is less than or equal to 5%
What is the stringiest level of significance?
p ≤ 0.001 (0.1%)
In what cases would psychologists use to the stringiest level of significance?
When considering the effects of a new drug or when conducting a replication of previous research.
What is the most lenient level of significance?
p ≤ 0.10 (10%)
In what cases would psychologists use the most lenient level of significance?
When conducting research into new topics that haven’t been tested.
What is a type one error?
This is where you accept a hypothesis that is false (false positive).
What is a type one error also known as?
An optimistic error because you are optimistically accepting the hypothesis when it is actually wrong.
Which level of significance increases the chance of a type one error?
The most lenient level of significance (p ≤ 0.10).
What is a type two error?
This is where you reject a hypothesis that is, in fact, true (false negative).
What is a type two error also known as?
A pessimistic error because you are pessimistically rejecting the hypothesis even when it is correct.
