Module 1, Intro to Statistics & the Scientific Method Flashcards
Quantitative
the data is in numbers
What is Empirical Research?
empirical research: any activity in which data are collected from some area of experience and then conclusions are drawn from the data about the area of experience
- captivates both quantitative and qualitative research
- it means we collect data and make sense of it (interpret)
- through stats we make sense of that data - a tool we use to help make sense of quantitative research
Branch of Mathematics
- collection - quantitative data
- analysis (for example: going through procedures of doing a particular mathematical operation on that data to come up with an average)
- *interpretation - what do the numbers mean (something is just a number until it is interpreted)
- presentation of numerical data
The Scientific Method (5 steps)
- developing a research hypothesis to be tested (distinguishing between variables & types of hypotheses)
- collecting data (sample vs. population, levels of measurement & experimental vs non-experimental methods)
- analyzing data (descriptive vs inferential statistics)
- conclusions about research hypotheses (use of language)
- communicating findings
* loop back to research hypothesis to draw conclusions (loop 4 to 1)
What is a research hypothesis?
research hypothesis: a statement regarding an expected or predicted relationship between variables (they are very specific as they have to be testable)
Variable
variable: a property or characteristic that can take on different values
- variables are related to quantitative research as they take on different values (data will be in numbers)
- a variable needs to vary - cannot just take on one value (ex. class attendance (whether you attended or not) varies, not who attended today)
- measure is a key word: for instance, measure the degree to which someone is experiencing depressive symptoms (special case where you cannot directly measure something)
Construct
constructs is when you cannot directly measure a variable, they are theoretical (that means the definition of what it is can change)
‣ mental toughness - there
are many definitions of it
making it a construct
‣ constructs are a special
type of variable
How do we determine what the research hypothesis is?
research hypotheses can come from a variety of sources:
1. identifying a question or issue to be examined
2. *review and evaluating relevant theories and research (help guide us in selecting what variables we should use and how they connect)
How do we Distinguish Between Variables? (IV/DV)
independent variable (IV): the variable manipulated by the researcher
dependent variable (DV): the variable measured by the researcher
- want to know the effect of IV on the DV
example: the thing that is being manipulated is the number of grams of proteins (IV) (after a workout) - 20g, 40g, 60g (this variable is varying) - levels of an independent variable (same) are the different numbers
the number of groups you have is the same as the number of levels of the IV - 3 levels in this case
Directional Hypothesis
is going to state whether a group scores higher or lower on an outcome variable compared to another group and could indicate whether there is a positive or negative relationship
- mostly there are directional hypotheses that are used to see which group will do better
Non-Directional Hypothesis
would state that there is a relationship between the variables but do not know if there is a positive or negative relationship OR we do not know which group will score higher or lower on the outcome variable (just know there will be a difference)
Among both directional and non-directional hypothesis which is often utilized more?
directional
Research Question: Do youth soccer players who do not wear head protection experience a different rate of concussions than those who wear head protection?
(IV/DV/HOW MANY LEVELS/WHAT LEVEL OF MEASUREMENT)
DV = # of concussion (ratio level of measurement - true zero point)
IV = presence of head protection (variables have to vary) (2 levels of the IV - nominal/categorical)
- the presence of head protection will have an impact on the number of concussions (hypothesis causal relation) IV -> DV
Research Hypotheses: There will be a difference in the number of concussions between youth soccer players who wear head protection and those who do not
research
Q: IS IT DIRECTIONAL OR NON-DIRECTIONAL HYPOTHESIS?
non-directional (difference)
Research Hypotheses: Youth soccer players who wear head protection will have fewer concussions than those who do not wear head protection
Q: IS IT DIRECTIONAL OR NON-DIRECTIONAL HYPOTHESIS?
directional (fewer)
- are stating who is going to score higher or lower on the outcome variable
Research Hypotheses
- the relationship between variables written with words
◦ A related to B
◦ A causes B