Introduction to Statistics & Research Design
24 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Which of the following best describes a confounding variable?

  • A variable that is the primary focus of the experiment.
  • A variable that does not influence the dependent variable.
  • A variable that systematically varies with the independent variable. (correct)
  • A variable that is only considered in qualitative research.

    • In an experiment studying the impact of gender on political attitudes, what is the dependent variable?

  • Attitude about politics (correct)
  • Socio-economic status
  • Political affiliation
  • Gender

    • Which type of variable can take on an infinite number of values?

  • Nominal variables
  • Continuous variables (correct)
  • Ordinal variables
  • Discrete variables

    • What is a characteristic of discrete observations?

    <p>They only include whole numbers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which variable type uses categories or names as their values?

    <p>nominal variables</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes interval variables from other types of variables?

    <p>They have equal intervals between values.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a type of variable mentioned?

    <p>Qualitative Variables</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which scenario is it necessary to consider confounding variables?

    <p>When the relationship between two variables is unclear.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main purpose of descriptive statistics?

    <p>To organize and summarize a large number of data points into a few meaningful numbers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement accurately describes inferential statistics?

    <p>They allow general estimates about a larger population based on sample data.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the research process, what is the second step after initial observation?

    <p>Generating theories and testing them.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What differentiates a sample from a population in research?

    <p>A population consists of all observations, while a sample is a subset taken from that population.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following correctly defines an independent variable?

    <p>It is the variable that is manipulated to observe its effects on another variable.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement about dependent variables is true?

    <p>They are outcomes predicted to be affected by the changes in independent variables.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of confounding in research?

    <p>When an unaccounted variable influences both the independent and dependent variables.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the hypothesis testing process, which step comes after generating theories?

    <p>Data collection to test the developed theories.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes ratio variables?

    <p>They have meaningful zero points and meet interval variable criteria.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is measurement error?

    <p>The discrepancy between the measured value and the true value.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which concept directly refers to an instrument's ability to measure what it was intended to measure?

    <p>Validity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does reliability in measurement indicate?

    <p>The consistency of a measure across different instances.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do social scientists primarily test their hypotheses?

    <p>Using a statistics-based process known as hypothesis testing.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of operational definitions in research?

    <p>To define a variable in practical and measurable terms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is validity considered a necessary condition of a measure?

    <p>It verifies that the measure is accurate and relevant to the construct.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of a ratio variable?

    <p>Weight in kilograms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Introduction to Statistics & Research Design

    • The study covers two branches of statistics: descriptive and inferential.
    • Descriptive statistics organize, summarize, and communicate numerical observations.
    • Descriptive statistics describe large amounts of data using a small number of representative values. For example, average weight.
    • Inferential statistics use sample data to make estimations about a larger population. This means an intelligent guess about the population. For example, the CDC's study of a segment of the US population to estimate the entire population.
    • A sample is a subset of observations drawn from the population of interest.
    • A population includes all possible observations about which knowledge is wanted.

    The Research Process

    • The research process involves the following steps:
      • Initial Observation/Research Question
      • Generate Theory
      • Generate Hypotheses
      • Collect Data to Test Theory
      • Analyze Data
    • Identifying Variables is a crucial step in the research process.

    Variables

    • An independent variable has at least two levels and is either manipulated or observed to determine its impact on the dependent variable.
    • A dependent variable is the outcome, which is hypothesized to be related or caused by the independent variable.
    • A confounding variable systematically varies with the independent variable, making it hard to determine which variable is at play. In experimental work, the independent variable is a predictor, and the dependent variable is the outcome.

    Types of Variables

    • Continuous variables can take a wide range of values (e.g., height, weight).
    • Discrete variables can only take specific values (e.g., gender, number of times).
      • Nominal variables are categories with names as their values (e.g., gender, ethnicity).
      • Ordinal variables have rankings as values (e.g., first, second, third).
      • Interval variables have values with equal intervals but don't have a meaningful zero point (e.g., temperature, SAT scores).
      • Ratio variables have equal intervals and a meaningful zero point (e.g., height, weight).

    Measurement Error

    • Measurement error is the discrepancy between the measured value and the true value.
    • Errors can occur due to limitations of measurement tools or influences.

    Reliability and Validity

    • Reliability refers to the consistency of a measure.
    • Validity refers to whether an instrument measures what it's designed to measure.
    • A measure must first be reliable to be valid.

    Hypothesis Testing

    • Hypothesis testing is a structured process for evaluating ideas about phenomena.
    • Researchers use data from samples to draw inferences about populations.
    • Operational definitions specify the operations or procedures for measuring a variable.

    Data Collection Research Methods

    • Correlational research examines relationships between variables without manipulation.
    • Experimental research manipulates one variable to observe its effect on another.

    Example: Correlation between Aggression and Video Games

    • A graph shows a presumed positive relationship between hours spent playing video games and aggression.

    Within-Groups Research Design

    • In a within-groups design, participants experience all levels of the independent variable.

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Related Documents

    Introduction to Statistics & Research Design PDF

    Description

    This quiz covers the fundamentals of statistics, focusing on both descriptive and inferential branches. It explores key concepts such as organization of data, sample populations, and the research process from observation to data analysis. Test your understanding of statistical methods and research design principles.

    More Like This

    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Open
    Browser
    Browser