Interpreting tables

Question 1

A high standard deviation means scores are more or less spread around the mean?

Answer 1

more

Question 2

If scores are more spread around the mean is there more or less variation in scores?

Answer 2

more

Question 3

If there are more individual differences in results, the scores are less….

Answer 3

consistent

Question 4

The mean provides a good indication of the average what?

Answer 4

score that participants gain

Question 5

Generally, the higher the mean that is gained then the greater the…

Answer 5

score/ effect (this is not always the case though! Double check the scenario to see what a high score means).

Question 6

A low standard deviation (closer to 0) means scores are less spread around the mean so…

Answer 6

there are less variation in scores

Question 7

With a low standard deviation, the scores are more or less consistent?

Answer 7

more

Question 8

A low standard deviation means there are more or less individual differences in scores?

Answer 8

less

Question 9

How do you write about interpreting tables? (4 steps)

Answer 9

State the mean for condition a (Context) and if its higher or lower than the mean for condition b (Context).
Therefore… what does this suggest about the effect on the DV (link to scenario)
State the standard deviation for condition A (context) and if its higher or lower than the mean for condition b (Context)
Therefore… what does this suggest about the spread of SCORES (context DV) and individual differences, link to scenario.

Question 10

What are measures of dispersion? (2 marks)

Answer 10

Based on the spread of scores: how far scores vary from the mean or range (1). For example the range of standard deviation (2).

Question 11

The standard deviation is the measure of spread around the…

Answer 11

Mean

Question 12

Standard deviation is used for what type of data?

Answer 12

Interval data

Question 13

Why is SD the most precise/ sensitive measure of dispersion?

Answer 13

It uses all scores in the calculation making it a more accurate measure than the range, which only looks at the smallest and largest data.

Question 14

Why is SD less easily distorted by extreme values?

Answer 14

It takes into account the distance of each score from the mean, not just the distance from the highest and lowest score (like the range).

Question 15

What is the weakness of SD?

Answer 15

More complicated and time consuming to calculate, unlike the range which is quick and easy.

Question 16

What is the mean?

Answer 16

All scores added up and divided by the total number of scores.

Question 17

What types of data is the mean used for?

Answer 17

Interval data.

Question 18

Why is the mean the most accurate measure of central tendency?

Answer 18

It uses all data sets unlike the median which does not consider all data

Question 19

Why is the mean affected by extreme scores?

Answer 19

It accounts for all scores which can result in misleading interpretation of results.