Unit 0 Vocab- Statistical Concepts

Question 1

Mean

Answer 1

Arithmetic average, which can be skewed by fringe scores.

Question 2

Mode

Answer 2

Most frequently occurring score in a data set (rarely useful).

Question 3

Median

Answer 3

The mid-point of the data set (N).

Question 4

N value

Answer 4

A score that represents the population (# of scores).

Question 5

Percentile ranking

Answer 5

Tells how well you did compared to others (scoring as well as or better than x% of people).

Question 6

Range

Answer 6

The distance between the highest and lowest number in a data set.

Question 7

Regression to the mean

Answer 7

Returning to the average after an event unusually high or low (such as having a lucky day)

Question 8

Effect size

Answer 8

How much the independant variable effects the dependant variable.

Question 9

Statistical significance

Answer 9

The possibility that observed differences in data are due to chance.

Question 10

P value

Answer 10

The statistical significance number in equations.

Question 11

When P is less than or equal to 5% (0.5)
P<= .05

Answer 11

This means the statistic is definitely by chance.

Question 12

Bell curve

Answer 12

A normal bell cure is when the mean, median, and mode are all the same.

Question 13

Standard deviation

Answer 13

How far a score is from the middle of the curve.

Question 14

Bimodal distribution

Answer 14

A bell curve that has two peaks because the data has two modes (e.g. restaurant rush at both lunch and dinner).

Question 15

Positive correlation

Answer 15

As one result goes up on a scatterplot, so does the other, and vice versa.

Question 16

Causation

Answer 16

When an event causes another to happen more or less often (not the same as correlation).

Question 17

Negative correlation

Answer 17

If one result on a scatterplot goes down, the other goes up, and vice versa.

Question 18

Correlation coefficient

Answer 18

It ranges from 1 (positive) to -1 (negative).

Question 19

Scatterplot

Answer 19

Plot points to determine if there is a correlation between two variables and which type of correlation.

Question 20

“0” correlation

Answer 20

There is no relationship between two variables.

Question 21

Correlation research design

Answer 21

It investigates the relationship between two variables.

Question 22

Directional problem

Answer 22

When you can’t tell which variable caused the other.

Question 23

Illusory correlation

Answer 23

Seeing a relationship where none exists (e.g. superstition).

Question 24

3-variable problem

Answer 24

When a third, confounding variable is added to an experiment that throws it off.

Question 25

Confounding variables

Answer 25

An external factor in an experiment that affects both the independent and dependant variables.

Question 26

Histogram

Answer 26

A bar graph

Question 27

X and Y axes

Answer 27

On a graph X is horizontal and Y is vertical.

Question 28

Inferential statistics

Answer 28

Determining how reliable and statistically significant the statistics are. To see if a result can be generalized to the whole population.

Question 29

Descriptive statistics

Answer 29

Numbers that are true, but can be manipulated to tell different stories. Summarizes data and results.

Question 30

When the mean is greater than the median (mean > median)

Answer 30

There are higher fringe scores.

Question 31

When the median is greater than the mean (median > mean)

Answer 31

There are lower fringe scores.

Question 32

Population percentage for 1SD, 2SD, 3SD normal curve (SD= Standard divination)

Answer 32

1SD= 2/3 (around 68%)
2SD= 95%
3SD= 99%