Research Methods -> Probability & Significance

Question 1

Level of Statistical Significance:

Answer 1

The level at which the decision is made to reject the null hypothesis in favour of the experimental hypothesis. It states how sure we can be that the IV is having an effect on the DV and this is not due to chance.

Question 2

Chance:

Answer 2

Something has no real cause, it just happens,

Question 3

Probability:

Answer 3

A numerical measure that determines whether our results are due to chance or whether there is a real difference that exists between the experimental and control conditions (and therefore we can accept the experimental hypothesis). If a real difference exists (that can be calculated statistically) we can say that results are significant, and the null hypothesis can be rejected (and we would accept the experimental hypothesis)

Question 4

Type 1 error

Answer 4

A Type 1 error would occur where wemight rejectthenullhypothesisandacceptthe experimentalhypothesisinstead, but in reality the results are due to chance (false positive)

Question 5

Type II error

Answer 5

A Type II error would occur where a real difference in the data is overlooked as it is wrongly accepted as being not significant, accepting the null hypothesis in error (false negative).