Why We Need Statistics

Question 1

What are statistics?

Answer 1

It refers to the quantitative measurement of samples and allow an objective evaluation of data

Question 2

Mathematical language in terms of uncertain events

Answer 2

Probabilities

Question 3

How do you weigh evidences?

Answer 3

By proving something, casting doubts, and constructing a logical argument

Question 4

What are the three sides of a story?

Answer 4

Yours, theirs, and the truth

Question 5

A statement about the population and all its samples based on what we see in the samples we have

Answer 5

Statistical inference

Question 6

The amount of fluctuation observed in scores on a dependent variables

Answer 6

Variability

Question 7

What is the implication of high variability?

Answer 7

The more variability, the greater the difference between groups before we can say that the data came from different populations

Question 8

What is the rule on testing the null hypothesis?

Answer 8

Assume an independent variable has no effect.

Question 9

Way of saying that the experimental condition had no significant effect

Answer 9

Null hypothesis

Question 10

Type of hypothesis that predicts the way the difference between groups will go

Answer 10

Directional hypothesis

Question 11

The criterion for deciding whether to reject the null hypothesis or not

Answer 11

Significance level

Question 12

What is the p value if the result is significant?

Answer 12

Less than 0.05

Question 13

Type of error when the experimenter has incorrectly rejected the null hypothesis

Answer 13

Type 1 error

Question 14

Type of error when the independent variable had an effect but the experimenter failed to detect it

Answer 14

Type 2 error

Question 15

Portion in the tail/s of the distribution of a test statistic extreme enough to satisfy the researchers’ criterion for rejecting the null hypothesis

Answer 15

Critical region

Question 16

What is the effect of a larger variable?

Answer 16

The more likely it is the IV produced a change in subject’s responses

Question 17

What is the effect of obtaining a large value of test statistics?

Answer 17

More likely to be able to reject the null hypothesis

Question 18

Data recorded as we run an experiment

Answer 18

Raw data

Question 19

Reporting the results of the experiment

Answer 19

Summary data

Question 20

The summary statistics reported for an experiment, including mean, range, and standard deviation

Answer 20

Descriptive statistics

Question 21

Score that occurs most often

Answer 21

Mode

Question 22

The score that divides the distribution in hald

Answer 22

Median

Question 23

Arithmetical average, measure of central tendency

Answer 23

Mean

Question 24

The average squared deviation of scores from their mean, more precise measure of variability than the range

Answer 24

Variance

Question 25

The difference between the largest and smallest scores in a set of data

Answer 25

Range