Week 1

Question 1

Why is it important to understand and use statistics in Psychology?

Answer 1

Psychology is an experimental science that relies on data to answer research questions.

Understanding statistics helps in analyzing and interpreting data effectively.

Question 2

What are the steps required to answer research questions in Psychology?

Answer 2

1. Formulate a research question.
2. Make a prediction (hypothesis).
3. Collect data.
4. Analyze data with statistics.
5. Draw conclusions.

Each step is crucial for systematic research.

Question 3

What are the two main types of statistics used in Psychology?

Answer 3

1. Descriptive statistics
2. Inferential statistics

Descriptive statistics summarize data, while inferential statistics interpret data to make conclusions.

Question 4

What is the definition of nominal data?

Answer 4

Nominal data consists of named discrete categories with no meaningful order.

Examples include eye color, car type, and occupation.

Question 5

What is the definition of ordinal data?

Answer 5

Ordinal data varies along a continuum and can be ranked, but the difference between ranks is not meaningful.

Examples include race positions (1st, 2nd, 3rd) and satisfaction ratings.

Question 6

What is the key characteristic of interval data?

Answer 6

Interval data has meaningful differences between values, but no true zero point.

Examples include temperature in degrees Celsius and IQ scores.

Question 7

What distinguishes ratio data from interval data?

Answer 7

Ratio data has meaningful differences, true zero point, and allows for comparisons of ratios.

Examples include length, weight, and time.

Question 8

Fill in the blank: Descriptive statistics are methods used to ______ data to get a broad overview.

Answer 8

summarize or display

Question 9

True or False: The difference between ordinal numbers is meaningful.

Answer 9

False

Ordinal data can be ranked but does not have meaningful differences between ranks.

Question 10

What are the four theoretical levels of measurement in statistics?

Answer 10

1. Nominal
2. Ordinal
3. Interval
4. Ratio

Question 11

What is the purpose of visualizing data in statistics?

Answer 11

To summarize data numerically or using graphs and tables for better understanding.

Question 12

What is empirical data?

Answer 12

Information gained from observation or experimentation.

Question 13

Fill in the blank: The type of data you have determines what ______ you can perform.

Answer 13

statistics

Question 14

What is a Likert scale used for?

Answer 14

To measure attitudes or opinions on a scale, often ranging from 1 to 5 or 1 to 7.

Question 15

What happens to data type when interpreting it as both ordinal and ratio?

Answer 15

You can only go downwards in terms of measurement level.

Question 16

Fill in the blank: Psychology research is based on ______ data.

Answer 16

empirical

Question 17

What is an example of a nominal variable?

Answer 17

Marital status (Single, Married, Divorced)

Question 18

What is an example of an ordinal variable?

Answer 18

Position in a race (1st, 2nd, 3rd)

Question 19

What is an example of interval data?

Answer 19

Temperature in degrees Celsius

Question 20

What is an example of ratio data?

Answer 20

Length or weight

Question 21

What influences how you ask a question in research?

Answer 21

The type of data you are measuring.

Question 22

What type of statistics allows us to summarize the data we collect?

Answer 22

Descriptive statistics