Topic 1: Introduction Flashcards
Statistics
(definition)
The term statistics refers to a set of mathematical procedures for organizing, summarizing, and interpreting information.
Population
(definition)
A population is the set of all the individuals of interest in a particular study.
Sample
(definition)
A sample is a set of individuals selected from a population, usually intended to represent the population in a research study.
Variable
(definition)
A variable is a characteristic or condition that changes or has different values for different individuals.
Data
(definition)
Data (plural) are measurements or observations.
a data set
(definition
A data set is a collection of measurements or observations.
A datum
(definition)
A datum (singular) is a single measurement or observation and is commonly called a score or raw score.
A parameter
(definition)
A parameter is a value, usually a numerical value, that describes a population. A parameter is usually derived from measurements of the individuals in the population.
A statistic
(definition)
A statistic is a value, usually a numerical value, that describes a sample. A statistic is usually derived from measurements of the individuals in the sample.
Descriptive statistics
(definition)
Descriptive statistics are statistical procedures used to summarise, organise and simplify data.
Inferential statistics
(definition)
Inferential statistics consist of techniques that allow us to study samples and then make generalizations about the populations from which they were selected.
Sampling error
(definition)
Sampling error is the naturally occurring discrepancy, or error, that exists between a sample statistic and the corresponding population parameter.
Correlation method
(definition)
In the correlational method, two different variables are observed to determine whether there is a relationship between them.
Experimental method
(definition)
In the experimental method , one variable is manipulated while another variable is observed and measured. To establish a cause-and-effect relationship between the two variables, an experiment attempts to control all other variables to prevent them from influencing the results.
Independent variable
(definition)
The independent variable is the variable that is manipulated by the researcher. In behavioral research, the independent variable usually consists of the two (or more) treatment conditions to which subjects are exposed. The independent variable consists of the antecedent conditions that were manipulated prior to observing the dependent variable.
Dependent variable
(definition)
The dependent variable is the one that is observed to assess the effect of the treatment.
Control condition
(definition)
Individuals in a control condition do not receive the experimental treatment. Instead, they either receive no treatment or they receive a neutral, placebo treatment. The purpose of a control condition is to provide a baseline for comparison with the experimental condition.
Experimental condition
(definition)
Individuals in the experimental condition do receive the experimental treatment.
Quasi-independent variable
(definition)
In a non-experimental study, the independent variable that is used to create the different groups of scores is often called Quasi-independent variable
Constructs
(definition)
Constructs are internal attributes or characteristics that cannot be directly observed but are useful for describing and explaining behaviour.
Operational
(definition)
An operational definition identifies a measurement procedure (a set of operations) for measuring an external behavior and uses the resulting measurements as a definition and a measurement of a hypothetical construct. Note that an operational definition has two components. First, it describes a set of operations for measuring a construct. Second, it defines the construct in terms of the resulting measurements.
Discrete variable
(definition)
A discrete variable consists of separate, indivisible categories. No values can exist between two neighboring categories.
Continuous variable
(definition)
For a continuous variable , there are an infinite number of possible values that fall between any two observed values. A continuous variable is divisible into an infinite number of fractional parts.
Real limits
(definition)
Real limits are the boundaries of intervals for scores that are represented on a continuous number line. The real limit separating two adjacent scores is located exactly halfway between the scores. Each score has two real limits. The upper real limit is at the top of the interval, and the lower real limit is at the bottom.
