Research and Statistics

Question 0

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.

Answer 0

Analysis of variance (ANOVA)

Question 1

The term for normal, typical, most common. Statistical averages are the mean, median, and mode.

Answer 1

Average

Question 2

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.

Answer 2

Biased sample

Question 3

A multistage sample that clusters groups naturally to be sampled initially. Members of each group are then subsampled later.

Answer 3

Cluster sample

Question 4

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.

Answer 4

Control group

Question 5

A condition/treatment (variable) that is introduced by the researcher to check the apparent relationship between the independent and dependent variable.

Answer 5

Control variable

Question 6

A procedure in which various goals of the organization are evaluated systematically along with the expenses and resources required to achieve them.

Answer 6

Cost-benefit analysis

Question 7

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.

Answer 7

Cross-sectional study

Question 8

A relationship between two variables that change in nature at different values of the variables.

Answer 8

Curvilinear relationship

Ex. a curvilinear relationship could exist between physician effectiveness and amount of physician experience

Question 9

The process by which particular conclusions are reached by starting with general principles believed or shown to be true.

Answer 9

Deductive reasoning

Question 10

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.

Answer 10

Dependent variable

Question 11

Statistical computations describing either the characteristics of a sample or the relationship among variables in sample.

Answer 11

Descriptive statistics

Question 12

A description of how many objects (or persons) fell into each value category for every variable that was measured.

Answer 12

Frequency distribution

Question 13

A statement of the relationship between two or more variables. It expresses what we believe to be true.

Answer 13

Hypothesis

Question 14

The factors that are thought to influence or cause a certain behavior, phenomenon, or reaction.

Answer 14

Independent variable

Question 15

Theories and generalizations are evolved from a particular set of observations.

Answer 15

Induction

Question 16

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.

Answer 16

Interval measure

Question 17

Repeated testing of a specific phenomenon or group over a significant period of time.

Answer 17

Longitudinal study

Question 18

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.

Answer 18

Mean

Question 19

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.

Answer 19

Median

Question 20

A measure of central tendency that reflects the value in a distribution that occurs most frequently.

Answer 20

Mode

Question 21

The analysis of stimulus relationships among several variables.

Answer 21

Multi-variate analysis

Question 22

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.

Answer 22

Nominal

Question 23

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.

Answer 23

Ordinal

Question 24

This specific delineation of the phenomenon to be studied in terms of how it will be measured.

Answer 24

Operational definition

Question 25

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.

Answer 25

Ratio

Question 26

The dependability and consistency of scores on a test that is repeated over time with the same group.

Answer 26

Reliability

Question 27

The extent to which a procedure is able to measure the quality it is intended to measure.

Answer 27

Validity

Question 28

A characteristic that may vary or assume different quantified values.

Answer 28

Variables