Unit 1 Flashcards
Empirical Statistics
Information is obtained via observation and measurement (produces data, scores)
Inferential Statistics
Performing mathematical calculations (statistics) from a sample of people
Population
The total number of cases or items of interest within a defined region (i.e All Canadians over the age of 65)
Deductive Reasoning
using general premises to form a specific conclusion
Deductive Reasoning Example
Dementia comes with aging. Therefore, my grandfather must have dementia
Inductive Reasoning
starting from specific premises and forming a general conclusion
Example of Inductive reasoning
My grandfather has dementia so,
all older adults must have dementia
What is the scientific method?
the process of objectively establishing facts through testing and experimentation
Elements of the Scientific Method:
Skepticism
Open-mindeness
Quantitative Research
Measurement of outcomes using numerical data under standardized conditions
Like Applying statistical procedures
Example of Quantitative Research
Applying statistical procedures
Qualitative Research
Deriving conclusions from open-ended questionnaires, surveys, interviews, and observations
Not applying numerical descriptions to observations
Example of Qualitative Research
E.g., educational methods
What is a Variable?
a characteristic or condition that changes or has different values for different individuals (i.e gender or age)
What is Data?
scores on variables, or information expressed as numbers (quantitively)
What is a data set?
a collection of measurements or observation
What is a datum? (also called score or raw score)
a single measurement of observation or observation
Descriptive Statistics (Describe)
Statistical procedures used to summarize, organize, and simplify data
Inferential Statistics (to infer)
Techniques that allow us to study samples and then make generalizations about the populations from which they were selected
Sampling Error
Naturally occurring error that exists between a sample statistic and the corresponding population parameter
What are discrete variables?
Measured in units that cannot be subdivided…… contains gaps.
Variable classified in whole units…. no fractions
What are dichotomous variables?
only 2 possible outcomes
Scores = whole integers
Example: number of people per household
What are continuous variables?
Measured in a unit that can be subdivided infinitely
Limited by the precision of the testing instrument… ie age
What are nominal scales?
Identification scores
Does not measure amount or value
Classifies groups or responses
Example of a Nominal Scale
Sex at birth (male, female)…..
Mutually Exclusive
There must be one and only category for each case
Exhaustive
A category must exist for every possible score that might be found
Homogenous
Categories should include cases that are comparable
What is an ordinal scale?
Categorical scale with a natural order
Scores only indicate a position between items
Example of an ordinal scale
Income level
Personality trait
What is an interval scale?
Describes an actual quantity
Can have negative numbers
Example of an interval scale:
Temperature (celsius or Fahrenheit)
What is a ratio scale?
Scores represent the true “amount” of the variable that is present
Scores scaled to a true zero
