Key Statistical Concepts Quiz

Key Statistical Concepts

• P-value: Probability of results occurring due to chance. A low P-value suggests a significant result.
• Mean: The average of a set of scores.
• Median: The middle score in a dataset, with half above and half below.
• Mode: The most frequently occurring score.
• Standard deviation: Measures data variability around the mean.
• Degrees of freedom: A parameter in statistical analysis, calculated by subtracting limitations from the number of observations or groups.
• Statistically significant: A mathematical difference larger than expected by chance.
• Statistically non-significant: Results are attributed to chance.
• "Student's" t-test: A test for significant differences between two independent group means.
• Paired t-test: Comparing means of two groups where participants are the same or matched pairs.

Research Design Concepts

• Controlled, Randomized Experiment: A powerful design inferring causation by randomly ascribing participants to experimental or control groups.
• Alternative Hypothesis: What researchers expect to be true, often referred to as the research hypothesis.
• Independent Variable: The variable manipulated by the researcher.
• Dependent Variable: The variable measured to assess the independent variable’s effect.
• Double-Blind Experiment: Neither participant nor researcher knows treatment assignment.
• Single-Blind Experiment: Participant is unaware of treatment assignment, but researcher knows.
• Causation: A relationship where one factor directly causes another, testable through controlled experiments.
• Correlation: The degree of relationship between two variables.
• Confounding variable: An unaccounted-for variable affecting the interpretation of independent variable effects.
• Observational Study: Observing individuals without manipulating variables, unable to determine causation.
• Case-Control Study: Comparing individuals with and without a disease.
• Cohort Study: Following groups exposed and not exposed to a risk factor over time.
• Cross Sectional Study: Single observation at one point in time studying correlations.
• Experimental Study: Researchers control every variable measurement and manipulation.
• Replication: Repeated experiments by different researchers, strengthening hypothesis validity.
• Risk Factor: Something increasing susceptibility to a condition.
• Incidence: The number of new cases during a specific period.
• Prospective Cohort Study: Following groups over time differing in a specific characteristic.
• Triage: Sorting patients based on urgency of need.

Other Study Concepts

• Design: An iterative process forming plans to achieve goals.
• Design Process: A systematic approach solving problems through criteria and constraints.
• Prototype: A full-scale model testing design concepts.
• Criteria: Principles for judging or deciding.
• Gantt Chart: A time-based chart to depict project progress.
• Innovation: A new method or device.
• Epidemiology: The study of disease incidence, distribution, and control in populations.