Me, Myself and I Notes

Why is biology considered a quantitative subject?

Biology is considered a quantitative subject because it relies heavily on accurate and precise measurements of biological parameters.

What are key descriptive statistics?

Mean, median, and range.

What is a sample in biological research?

A sample is usually a very small subset of the population.

What is sampling error?

Sampling error is the random variation introduced into a data set as a function of only sampling a subset of the total population.

What is the null hypothesis (H0)?

The default expectation that categorical outcomes are all equally likely, and there is no relationship between two measured phenomena.

What defines the alternative hypothesis (H1)?

The expectation that categorical outcomes are not all equally likely, and there is a relationship between two measured phenomena.

What is the purpose of the Chi-squared test?

To compare the number of observations in mutually exclusive classes against expected values under the null hypothesis.

What does the formula 𝜲2 = ∑(d²/e) represent in the Chi-squared test?

It calculates the Chi-squared statistic, where d represents the difference between observed and expected values.

What is a t-test used for?

To determine whether the mean of one group is statistically different from the mean of another group, applicable only with two groups.

What is regression modeling?

It describes relationships between a response variable (dependent) and an explanatory variable (independent) and allows for making predictions.

What does the line of best fit equation y = mx + c represent?

In regression, y is the predicted value of the dependent variable, m is the slope of the line, x is the independent variable, and c is the y-intercept.

What does R-squared indicate in regression analysis?

The proportion of the variance in the response variable that is explained by the explanatory variable(s).

What is meant by a multivariate linear model?

A model examining the effects of multiple variables on a response variable, capturing interactions between them.

What is cherry picking in data analysis?

The practice of presenting only positive results and ignoring other findings, leading to a misrepresentation of the data.

What is the impact of multiple testing?

It can lead to identification of chance associations and false positive results if not properly controlled.

What distinguishes longitudinal data from cross-sectional data?

Longitudinal data collects information from the same subjects over time, while cross-sectional data captures a snapshot of different individuals at a specific time.