Interpreting Results

Question 1

First Order vs Second Order Effects

Answer 1

First order effects directly follow from a cause, while second order effects follow from first order effects.

Question 2

False Positive

Answer 2

A false positive error, commonly called a ‘false alarm’, is a result that indicates a given condition has been fulfilled, when it actually has not been fulfilled

Question 3

False Negative

Answer 3

A false negative error is where a test result indicates that a condition failed, while it actually was successful, i.e. erroneously no effect has been assumed

Question 4

Confidence Intervals

Answer 4

Confidence intervals consist of a range of values (interval) that act as good estimates of the unknown population parameter

Question 5

Bayes Theorem

Answer 5

The probability of an event, based on conditions that might be related to the event.
E.g., If cancer is related to age, then, using Bayes’ theorem, information about the person’s age can be used to more accurately assess the probability that they have cancer.

Question 6

Regression to the Mean

Answer 6

The phenomenon that if a variable is extreme on its first measurement, it will tend to be closer to the average on its second measurement.