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RESEARCH METHODS + STATS > LECTURE 2 > Flashcards

LECTURE 2 Flashcards

1
Q

What is quantitative research?

A

Research that explains phenomena using numerical data analyzed statistically.

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2
Q

What is qualitative research?

A

Exploratory research to understand reasons and motivations using methods like interviews and focus groups.

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3
Q

Why do we use samples in research?

A

It is impractical to test entire populations; samples represent populations.

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4
Q

What is a representative sample?

A

A sample that matches the general characteristics of the population.

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5
Q

What are descriptive statistics?

A

Statistics that describe the data in a sample.

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6
Q

What are inferential statistics?

A

Statistics that use sample data to make inferences about a population.

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7
Q

What is a within-subjects design?

A

All participants receive every treatment or condition.

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8
Q

What is a between-subjects design?

A

Participants are divided into groups, each receiving different treatments or tasks.

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9
Q

What is an independent variable (IV)?

A

A variable controlled by the researcher to observe its effect on the dependent variable.

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10
Q

What is a dependent variable (DV)?

A

The outcome measured, which depends on the independent variable.

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11
Q

What are nominal variables?

A

Categorical data without a meaningful order (e.g., smoker/non-smoker).

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12
Q

What are ordinal variables?

A

Ordered data without consistent intervals (e.g., race positions, Likert scales).

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13
Q

What are interval variables?

A

Data with consistent intervals but no true zero (e.g., temperature).

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14
Q

What are ratio variables?

A

Data with consistent intervals and a true zero (e.g., height, weight).

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15
Q

What is the mode?

A

The most common value in a dataset.

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16
Q

When is the mode useful?

A

For nominal data.

17
Q

What is the median?

A

The middle value when data is ordered.

18
Q

When is the median useful?

A

For ordinal data or skewed distributions.

19
Q

What is the mean?

A

The arithmetic average of a dataset.

20
Q

When is the mean appropriate?

A

For normally distributed interval or ratio data.

21
Q

What are the weaknesses of the mode?

A

It ignores other data points and focuses on just one value.

22
Q

What are the weaknesses of the median?

A

It uses only 1-2 central data points.

23
Q

What are the weaknesses of the mean?

A

It is sensitive to extreme values and not suitable for categorical data.

24
Q

What is a normal distribution?

A

A symmetric, bell-shaped distribution where mean, median, and mode are close together.

25
Q

What is a skewed distribution?

A

A distribution where most data is concentrated at one end, affecting the mean.

26
Q

What is a trimmed mean?

A

A mean calculated after removing extreme values from both ends of the distribution.

27
Q

What is the range?

A

The difference between the highest and lowest values in a dataset.

28
Q

What are the weaknesses of the range?

A

It is sensitive to extreme values.

29
Q

What is the interquartile range (IQR)?

A

The range of the middle 50% of data, calculated by removing the upper and lower 25%.

30
Q

What is variance?

A

The average of the squared differences from the mean.

31
Q

What is standard deviation (SD)?

A

The square root of variance, showing the spread of data around the mean.

32
Q

How much data falls within ±1 SD in a normal distribution?

A

68%.

33
Q

What is an example of normally distributed data?

A

IQ scores, where 68% of scores fall between 85 and 115.

34
Q

What should always be reported together?

A

Measures of central tendency and measures of dispersion.

35
Q

What are the two main types of quantitative data?

A

Descriptive and inferential statistics.

36
Q

What do descriptive statistics do?

A

Summarize information about the sample.

37
Q

What do inferential statistics do?

A

Allow generalizations about the population based on the sample.

RESEARCH METHODS + STATS (8 decks)

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