SES - Creating and Understanding Data Flashcards
Why are figures/graphs important in SES?
They are visual representations of results which help interpret them.
What do scientists do so that everyone understands quickly?
Follow conventions.
Use common language.
Communicate trends.
Example of a convention to follow?
Avoid misleading interpretations e.g. blown up axis to make small differences look bigger.
Should you avoid presenting the same date twice via e.g. a pie chart and bar graph?
Yes.
Where should you present data when there’s less than 4 numbers?
In text.
Where should you present data if there’s between 4 and 20 numbers?
In a table.
Where should you present data if there’s >20 numbers?
In a graph.
How to make tables/figures understandable without reference to the text?
Clear title.
Explain abbreviations.
Example of how to show organisation/consistency/coherence in your data?
Ensure graphs/figures are consistently labelled in a recognisable style e.g. males in blue bars, females in red.
Why must you refer to the table of figures within text and explain what major points the reader must look for?
Tables and figures supplement the text.
Way of summarising data through a table?
Means and standard deviations presented at the end of a column.
Independent variable?
The variable which the experimenter manipulates e.g. allocating participants to either drug or placebo conditions.
Dependent variable?
The variable which is assumed to be directly affected by the independent variable e.g. drug/placebo use (IV) and changes in anxiety levels (DV).
Which axis is time typically on?
X-axis.
Where should table titles be located?
Above the table.
