Week 2

Question 1

What is the purpose of Statistics?

Answer 1

(1) organize data to be communicated to others

(2) helps to determine if the results are justified or not

Question 2

What is the purpose of inferential statistics?

Answer 2

to determine whether or not the difference between sample scores is significant

Question 3

What does the Chi-squared test measure?

Answer 3

the relationship between non-numerical values (also used during the correlational method)

Question 4

What is a quasi- independent variable?

Answer 4

a variable that can not be changed or manipulated by staff

Question 5

What is the four scales of measurement ?

Answer 5

nominal, interval, ratio, ordinal

Question 6

What is the difference between experimental vs non experimental?

Answer 6

they both show relationship but, non experimental does not tell cause and effect.

Question 7

Whats the difference between control condition and experimental condition?

Answer 7

control condition receives no treatment so that we know that the experimental condition what effect. FOR THIS REASON - the independent variable always has two variables.

Question 8

What is a confounded variable

Answer 8

whenever a research study allows more more than one explanation for the results

Question 9

What is the difference between interval and ratio?

Answer 9

Interval has no TRUE ZERO(temperature). Ratio numbers can be described in a RATIO (student:teacher).

Question 10

Define operationalism.

Answer 10

Theories in science must be grounded in things that can be observed so that they can be measured.

Question 11

For an operational definition to be useful it must be:

Answer 11

reliable and valid

Question 12

Reliability

Answer 12

an instrument is consistent

Question 13

Validity

Answer 13

the instrument measures what it supposed to

Question 14

What is the goal of descriptive statistics?

Answer 14

the goals of descriptive statistics is to report data

Question 15

What is the goal of correlational statistics?

Answer 15

identify relationships between variables

Question 16

What is the goal of experimental statistics?

Answer 16

to identify the effect of the IV on the DV

Question 17

What is the difference between correlational and experimental experiments?

Answer 17

CORR show Relationship; Experimental show cause and effect through manipulation.

Question 18

What are the three ways of defining a construct

Answer 18

Constructs came be defined in terms of

• Behavior
• physiologically
• self -report

Question 19

Why are operational definitions important in research?

Answer 19

1. Makes sure the study is valid and reliable

2. Aids in replication by other researchers.

Question 20

What is a construct?

Answer 20

internal characteristics that cannot be directly observed but still can help explain behavior

Question 21

Define latent constructs

Answer 21

when a concept can not be defined by an observable operations, but is linked to concepts that have operational definitions.

Question 22

Define indirect operational definitions

Answer 22

when a concept is defined by several simpler subcontracts more closely tied of operational measures.

Question 23

Why does psychology requires operationism to evaluate theoretical claims?

Answer 23

This way everyone knows what they are talking about when they refer to a concept.