Research and Statistics Flashcards
A statistical technique by which it is possible to partition the variance and distribution of scores according to separate sources or factors; a statistical measure to test the differences between the means of two or more groups.
Analysis of variance (ANOVA)
The term for normal, typical, most common. Statistical averages are the mean, median, and mode.
Average
A sample that has been unintentionally selected in a way that some members of the population are more likely than others to be picked for membership.
Biased sample
A multistage sample that clusters groups naturally to be sampled initially. Members of each group are then subsampled later.
Cluster sample
A group of subjects who are equivalent in every possible respect to the experimental group. The exception is that the control group is not exposed to the variable being tested so they do not receive the experimental treatment.
Control group
A condition/treatment (variable) that is introduced by the researcher to check the apparent relationship between the independent and dependent variable.
Control variable
A procedure in which various goals of the organization are evaluated systematically along with the expenses and resources required to achieve them.
Cost-benefit analysis
A comparison of subject to represent different aspects of a single variable (high IQ, average IQ, low IQ). Or a design whereby the researcher collects data on the phenomenon under investigation at one point in time.
Cross-sectional study
A relationship between two variables that change in nature at different values of the variables.
Curvilinear relationship
Ex. a curvilinear relationship could exist between physician effectiveness and amount of physician experience
The process by which particular conclusions are reached by starting with general principles believed or shown to be true.
Deductive reasoning
The phenomenon or reaction to be tested or measured when a new stimulus, condition, or treatment is introduced. It is not directly introduced or manipulated.
Dependent variable
Statistical computations describing either the characteristics of a sample or the relationship among variables in sample.
Descriptive statistics
A description of how many objects (or persons) fell into each value category for every variable that was measured.
Frequency distribution
A statement of the relationship between two or more variables. It expresses what we believe to be true.
Hypothesis
The factors that are thought to influence or cause a certain behavior, phenomenon, or reaction.
Independent variable
Theories and generalizations are evolved from a particular set of observations.
Induction
A level of measurement that includes the properties of normal and ordinal measurement but also requires that there are equal intervals between the units of measurement. It does not have an exact zero. It classifies and rank orders properties of variables. A year, a temperature, and the degree are all examples.
Interval measure
Repeated testing of a specific phenomenon or group over a significant period of time.
Longitudinal study
Used to find a typical value, it is a measure of central tendency. It is an arithmetic average that is determined by adding all of the scores and dividing the sum of the scores by the number of scores.
Mean
Another measure of central tendency, divides an array of values into two identical halves. It has an advantage over the mean in that it is unaffected by extreme scores.
Median
A measure of central tendency that reflects the value in a distribution that occurs most frequently.
Mode
The analysis of stimulus relationships among several variables.
Multi-variate analysis
The least precise level of measurement. It is a classification system that categorizes variables into subclasses. So, different values only represent a difference in kind of variables. For example, there are only two classes of the nominal variable life status: living or deceased.
Nominal
A level of measurement that implies that a variable not only takes on different values, but also, that the values have some distinct quantitative meaning. (A rank ordering) For example, social class, occupational prestige, educational degrees received, and ratings of satisfaction are all this type of variable.
Ordinal
This specific delineation of the phenomenon to be studied in terms of how it will be measured.
Operational definition
The existence of a fixed, absolute, non- arbitrary zero point constitutes the only difference between a ratio measurement and an interval measurement. For example, divorce rates, death rates, birthrates, and number of children in the family are all this type of measurement.
Ratio
The dependability and consistency of scores on a test that is repeated over time with the same group.
Reliability
The extent to which a procedure is able to measure the quality it is intended to measure.
Validity
A characteristic that may vary or assume different quantified values.
Variables
