Statistics with R for Beginners

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Questions and Answers

What is a key issue with drawing conclusions from aggregated data?

It can obscure important differences between subgroups. (correct)
It is easier to gather and analyze.
It is always more reliable than disaggregated data.
It may not be useful for understanding broad societal trends.

When might disaggregated data be more useful than aggregated data?

When looking at very broad trends in large populations.
When examining decision-making within a specific institution. (correct)
When doing a survey of an entire country.
When studying the overall impact of new policies.

Why is psychology considered a 'statistical science'?

Because it relies heavily on mathematical models.
Because it frequently uses complex software packages.
Because psychological experiments always produce statistical results.
Because it involves the study of complex, variable subjects: people. (correct)

What is the main purpose of statistics in research as described in the text?

To serve as a tool for understanding data. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concept of data collection in the context of psychological research, according to the provided text?

A form of measurement. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why does the text assert that psychology students need to be good at statistics?

Because psychology experiments are more complex than physics experiments. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the essence of the act of 'measurement'?

Assigning numbers, labels, or well-defined descriptions to entities of interest. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes what constitutes a 'psychological measurement', according to the text?

Assigning numbers, labels, or descriptions to measurable attributes such as age or gender. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What would be considered an example of a qualitative factor that greatly impacts an analysis according to the text?

Gender bias influencing funding. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a crucial aspect of data analysis that cannot be achieved through statistical methods alone?

Understanding the context behind data. (D) Signup and view all the answers

According to the document, what is a key difference between this specific chapter, and others?

It is more heavily psychology-specific. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why are electrons an easier subject to study compared to humans in a scientific context?

They do not have the capacity for individual opinions or deliberate sabotage. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is one characteristic that differentiates this chapter from other chapters, as mentioned in the provided information?

Primary discussion of research methodology and less on data analysis. (C) Signup and view all the answers

In the given context, what does the 'thing to be measured' refer to?

The specific attribute or characteristic being evaluated. (D) Signup and view all the answers

According to the information, what is the relationship between data collection and the concept of measurement?

Data collection is portrayed as a type of measurement within this field. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a continuous variable?

A variable where an infinite number of values can exist between any two given values. (C) Signup and view all the answers

According to the provided text, what are different ways that 'measurement' can be expressed?

Through numbers, labels, or well-defined descriptions. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is always classified as a discrete variable?

Nominal scale variables. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of scale is response time?

Ratio (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a discrete variable, according to the text?

The year someone graduated from school. (A) Signup and view all the answers

The number of correct answers on a true-or-false test is best described as what type of variable?

Discrete and ratio scale (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why does the text state that you should be careful in applying scales of measurement as 'hard and fast rules'?

Because they are designed to be guidelines and aid thinking. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does the text describe the typical use of the phrase 'discrete variable' by some people?

It is often used when a nominal scale variable would be more accurate. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a correct interpretation of the relationship between variable types?

Some ratio scale variables are discrete and some are continuous. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary reasons for a researcher to be self-sufficient?

Because the economics of the situation demand a level of independence. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why does the author suggest that statistics is important for everyone in the 21st century, not just researchers?

Because understanding data is essential for navigating daily life with the abundance of data. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Based on the news articles reviewed within the content, what was the most common statistical error found in the news reporting?

Failing to report the baseline data of a statistical claim. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main point the author is trying to make by analyzing news articles and their statistical mistakes?

To demonstrate the importance of knowledge of statistics to identify misinformation. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does the author suggest an understanding of statistics might change one's perspective on everyday media?

You would develop a greater ability to identify and criticize statistical errors in media, possibly leading to increased frustration and anger. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best explains the relationship between research methods and statistics?

Statistics is just one component of the broader field of research methods. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why according to the text, is it important for a psychologist to have an understanding of statistics?

Statistical knowledge is useful for keeping up with the latest literature and research. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does the text suggest will be included in future versions of the book?

More anecdotes of statistical errors in the news. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What type of variable is a Likert scale considered to be due to its discrete nature and ordered items, but lack of a true zero?

Ordinal scale (B) Signup and view all the answers

A Likert scale with options ranging from 'strongly disagree' to 'strongly agree' with a 'neither agree nor disagree' midpoint is commonly known as what?

A 5-point Likert scale (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason some researchers treat Likert scale data as quasi-interval data, despite its ordinal nature?

Because participants often act as if the differences between options are fairly similar. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a 5-point Likert scale?

Both A and B. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which is NOT a characteristic of a typical Likert scale?

It is based on a natural zero. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main critique against treating a Likert scale as interval data?

The differences between options are not proven to be equal. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why are Likert scales not considered nominal variables?

They have ordered categories. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why are Likert scales NOT considered ratio scale variables?

They do not have a true zero point. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does parallel forms reliability primarily assess?

The consistency of measurements when taken by different individuals. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of reliability assesses if different parts of a measurement instrument produce similar results?

Internal consistency reliability (A) Signup and view all the answers

When is it appropriate to demand reliability in a measurement?

Only when the aim is to measure the same thing consistently. (C) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of data analysis, what is the modern term for a 'dependent variable'?

Outcome (A) Signup and view all the answers

What role does an 'independent variable' play in data analysis?

It is the variable that is used to explain or predict changes in another variable. (D) Signup and view all the answers

If an educational assessment has both a research and an exam component, and these components are intended to measure different things, how would this affect internal consistency?

It would have low internal consistency across the assessment as a whole. (B) Signup and view all the answers

In a research study, if one uses a survey to take measurements, and a few questions are all trying to measure the same construct such as depression, which type of reliability should be consistent?

Internal consistency reliability (A) Signup and view all the answers

The term 'predictor variable' is equivalent to which classical term?

Independent variable (B) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Gender Bias in Funding

A tendency to favor one gender over another in funding decisions.

Aggregated Data

Data that is combined from several measurements or sources.