Statistics Flashcards
Achievement test
WHAT - Assessment designed to measure an individuals knowledge or previous learning. Academic settings
WHY- Standardized measure to compare individuals or groups
EX- Wechsler individual Achievement test (WIAT) to test learning disabilities
ANOVA
WHAT- Compares three or more experimental groups at a time by analyzing the variation between groups
WHY- determining if there is statistical significance
EX- Comparing effectiveness of various therapies
Aptitude test
WHAT- Test that measures a person’s potential to learn specific skills or gain knowledge in particular area. Education and career counseling
WHY- help predict future performance
EX- SAT
Clinical vs statistical significance
WHAT - Clinical = meaningful and applicable to real life. Statistical = not based on random chance
WHY- informed decision making
EX- Clinical = medication improves daily functioning of someone with depression; statistical = study found that mew therapy reduced depression symptoms
Construct Validity
WHAT - Accurately measures the concept its intended to assess
WHY- reliable and valuable insights
EX- new anxiety inventory
Content Validity
WHAT - Test accurately and comprehensively represents the subject matter. Ensures it covers all aspects of the construct
WHY - Ensures tests are fair and representative of the subject
EX- math exam
Correlation vs causation
WHAT - Correlation = one variable is associated with changes in the other (ice cream and drowning). Causation = one variable directly influences or causes changes in the other. Experiments (smoking causes an increase in risk for lung cancer)
WHY- Guides interventions
Dependent t test
WHAT - Compares the means of two related groups to determine if there is a statistically significant different (matched paired or repeated measures)
WHY - Impacts of an intervention on the same participant over time
EX- anxiety scores pre and post CBT treatment
Descriptive vs Inferential statistics
WHAT - Descriptive = main aspects of the sample data without inferring to a larger population (central tendencies) (average test score)
Inferential = used to make predictions or inferences about the larger population based on a smaller sample (make predictions on voting behavior)
WHY- important for analyzing data
Effect size
WHAT - Quantifies the magnitude of the relationship between variables or groups
WHY - Helps determine practical significance
EX- Comparing two therapies, seeing if one is more effective than another
Independent t-tests
WHAT- Compare the means of two unrelated groups
WHY- Testing hypothesis and comparing interventions
EX- comparing the effectiveness of two different treatments for anxiety (each treatment applied to a different group of participants )
Internal consistency
WHAT - Extent to which items on a test consistently measure the same ability or trait
WHY - valid and trustworthy results of assessments
EX- In a depression scale, all questions intended to measure depressive symptoms should yield similar scores
Interrater reliability
WHAT- Measures the degree of agreement between independent raters or evaluators
WHY- indicates consistency and reliability
EX- Assessing the severity of a patients depression, multiple clinicians might rate the symptoms and if their ratings are consistent then interrater reliability is high
Measures of central tendency
WHAT - The “averages” used to summarize a data set by identifying the central or typical value (Mean, median, mode)
WHY - Better understanding of the data, inferences to be made about trends
EX - studying the frequency of BPD patients intentionally skipping their medication
Measures of variability
WHAT - Used to describe the spread or dispersion of a dataset (range, variance, SD)
WHY - Assessing reliability and predictability of data
EX - assessing math scores, using SD can see who the outliers are and who is struggling or excelling
Nominal/Ordinal/Interval/Ratio measurements
WHAT- For data collection and analysis
Nominal - categorical data
Ordinal - used for data that is ranked
Interval - based on some underlying continuum where intervals are equal, but lack an absolute zero
Ratio - features of interval scale with a true zero
WHY- Understanding is crucial to selecting appropriate statistical methods
EX- interval scale = temperature
Norm referenced scoring/testing
WHAT - Test takers performance is compared to predefined population to assess where the individual stands relative to others
WHY - helps identify students placement and strengths and weaknesses
EX- SAT and GRE
Normal curve
WHAT - Represents a symmetrical distribution around the mean
WHY - important for interpreting test scores
EX - IQ scores
Objective tests
WHAT - Assessments that consist of items with specific correct answers. Unbiased, non-subjective, with clear direct questions
WHY - reliable and reproducible results
EX - multiple choice, true false
Probability
WHAT- How likely a result is to be true
WHY - Key in hypothesis testing to decide if findings are due to chance
EX - Testing a new teaching method
Projective tests
WHAT- Assessments used to uncover unconscious thoughts, feelings, and motives by interpreting responses to ambiguous stimuli and open ended tasks
WHY- Unique insights into a persons internal world
EX- Rorschachs Inkblot test
Parametric vs nonparametric statistical analyses
WHAT -
WHY -
EX-
Regression
WHAT - Predicts the value of a dependent variable based on one or more independent variables
WHY- Used to make predictions and understand the relationship between variables
EX- predict a students future academic success based on factors like study time, prior grades, and ses
Types of reliability
WHAT - Reliability refers to the consistency and stability of a measurement tool or assessment. Test-retest, parallel forms, internal consistency, and Interrater
WHY- Provides reliable tools for accurate and dependable diagnosis treatment planning and outcome evaluation
EX- Developed a test that will examine preferences for different types of vocational programs - test-restest, test in September and again in June and correlate
Sample vs population
WHAT - Population is the entire group that the researcher wants to draw conclusions about. Sample is a smaller subset selected for the purpose of the study
WHY- research relies on samples to make predictions and generalizations about the population
EX- test on stress levels might take 200 students as the sample from a population of a university
Standard error of measurement
WHAT - An estimate of how much an individual’s score on a test is likely to vary if the test were repeated under similar conditions
WHY - Ensures that scores are consistent and meaningful
EX- An individual who takes an IQ test multiple times might have the score fluctuate slightly due to test taking conditions, mood, or sleep. SEM provides this estimate of fluctuation
Standard error of estimate
WHAT - Measure used to assess the amount by which the actual data points differ form the predictions made (how accurate predictions are)
WHY- Helps determine how well a model can predict future outcomes
EX- student scores based on study hours
Test Bias
WHAT - Whether a test accurately measures what it intends to measure or if it is influenced by external factors, making it unfair or unrepresentative of certain groups.
WHY- Ensuring that tests are free of bias is crucial for maintaining fairness and validity in assessment practices
EX - a standardized test may unintentionally favor individuals from higher SES backgrounds who have access to resources or educational experiences
Type I and Type II error
WHAT - Type I = occurs when we reject the null hypothesis (the assumption that there is no effect or relationship) when its true
Type II = when we fail to reject the null hypothesis when it is false (false negative)
WHY - Minimizing both types of errors is crucial to ensuring the accuracy and reliability of research findings
EX- Type I - a researcher might conclude that a new drug is effective when it isn’t. Type II - researcher might conclude that a new drug has no effect, even though it does
Types of Validity
WHAT - Validity refers to the extent to which a test, measurement, or research accurately measures what it claims to measure. Face validity, content validity, construct validity, and criterion validity
WHY- directly impacts the accuracy of diagnoses and the effectiveness of interventions
EX- construct validity is when a new anxiety inventory accurately measures the anxiety construct by showing significant correlations with existing, validated anxiety measure
Variance
WHAT - Quantifies the degree of spread or dispersion in a data set, how much a data point differs from the mean
WHY- Helps understand the distribution and consistency of data
EX- In a study measuring test scores, if most students score close to the average, the variance will be low, if they are widely spread the variance will be high
Norm-referenced vs criterion referenced tests
WHAT - Norm-referenced tests are centered on comparing individuals to others (SAT). Criterion-referenced tests determine whether each individual has achieved specific objectives or skills (Drivers test).
WHY - Selected based on the specific objectives of the assessment.
