Statistical Tests, Probability, Significance Flashcards

1
Q

Why do we use statistical testing?

A

To determine whether differences between variables are statistically significant or occurred by chance.

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2
Q

What is the difference between a one-tailed and two-tailed test?

A

One-tailed test = directional hypothesis

Two-tailed test = non-directional hypothesis.

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3
Q

What is the sign test?

A

A statistical test used to analyse the difference in scores between related items.

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4
Q

What are 3 conditions for using a sign test?

A
  1. Need to be looking for a difference. 2. Use a repeated measures design. 3. Nominal data.
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5
Q

What is probability?

A

The likelihood that the data obtained is due to chance rather that the manipulation of the IV

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6
Q

What is the accepted level of probability in Psychology?

A

0.05.

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7
Q

What does it mean if the researcher accepts alternative
the hypothesis?

A

There is less than 5% probability that the results occurred by chance.

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8
Q

Why might a researcher adopt a significance level of 0.01?

A

When researchers need to be more confident that results were not due to chance. For example, where there is a human cost (drug trials) or results are theoretically very important

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9
Q

Which 3 pieces of information do you need to locate the critical value?

A
  1. The significance level desired
  2. The number of participants
  3. Whether the hypothesis is directional or non-directional.
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10
Q

Why can psychologists never be 100% certain about their results?

A

They have not tested all members of the population under all possible arrangements.

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11
Q

What are the 3 levels of measurement?

A
  1. Nominal 2. Ordinal 3. Interval.
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12
Q

What is nominal data?

A

Named, distinct categories (sex, gender, eye colour)

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13
Q

What is ordinal data?

A

The order of the data matters, but the actual value isn’t measurable (aggression, test scores)

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14
Q

What is interval data?

A

Measured along a scale where the distance between one value and the next is equal. Standardised. (Temperature)

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15
Q

Which two experimental designs are known as related?

A

Repeated measures and matched pairs design.

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16
Q

Choosing a statistical test mnemonic

A

Chairs Save Children
Meanwhile Waiting Standing risks
Uncomfortability Right Peter

17
Q

Choosing a statistical test

A

Chi squared, Sign Test, Chi squared

Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon, Spearmans rho

Unrelated t test, Related t test, Pearsons r

18
Q

What is a parametric test?

A

A group of inferential statistics that make certain assumptions about the parameters (characteristics) of the population from which the sample is drawn

19
Q

Explain how the researcher would determine whether the results of the statistical test are significant.

A
  • The researcher would compare the calculated value (test statistic) to the critical value in a statistical table
  • The N value (sample size) and chosen significance level (typically p ≤ 0.05) would be used to find the critical value
  • If the calculated value is equal to or greater than the critical value, the result is statistically significant, meaning the null hypothesis can be rejected (1 mark)
20
Q

What is the difference between the null and alternative hypothesis?

A

The null hypothesis states there will be ‘no difference’ between the conditions, whereas the alternative hypothesis states there will be a difference (either directional or non-directional)

21
Q

What is the purpose of a statistical test?

A

To determine which hypothesis is ‘true’ and thus whether we accept or reject the null hypothesis

22
Q

What is a Type I error?

A

Too lenient. Wrongly rejecting the null hypothesis (also known as a ‘false positive’, finding it significant when it wasn’t).

23
Q

What is a Type II error?

A

Too strict wrongly accepting the null hypothesis (known as ‘false negative’, finding it not significant when it was)

24
Q

When are researchers most likely to make type 1/ type 2 errors

A

Type 1 - when the significance level is too lenient (0.1)

Type 2 - when the significance level is too strict

25
Q

What is significance?

A

The researcher can state that the relationship between the variable is more than just chance.