Behavioral Statistics Exam 1

Data?

Bits and pieces of information.

Descriptive statistics?

Using numbers to describe or condense a larger group of numbers. Breaking data down to an understandable idea.

Inferential statistics?

Allow researchers to draw conclusions or make inferences about a large group of numbers based on the data from a smaller sub-group.

Statistics?

Numerical characteristics of samples.

Population?

Each and every member of a defined group.

Sample?

A sub-group of the population.

Random Sample?

Intended to provide us with a representative sample - each and every member of a population has an equal probability of being chosen.

Sampling Error?

Aspects of a sample who aren't doing their job. "Dumb luck" or "Chance".

Variables?

Anything that varies or changes what we are trying to measure.

Operational definition (Variable)?

Specifying in precise terms exactly what is meant by a specific variable.

Quantitative Variable?

variables in which a score indicates the number of variables that are present. Ex. Test scores, height, weight, income. HAVE "REAL LIMITS".

Qualitative Variable?

variables classify or categorize an individual based on some characteristic. Ex. hair color, music, party affiliations.

Nominal?

Does not measure an amount; rather, it categorizes or classifies individuals.

Ordinal?

 Indicates rank order.

Interval Scale?

Distinguishes one thing from another etc. Has equal distance between values. Lacks a true Zero point. Ex. fahrenheit and celcius.

Ratio Scale?

Distinquishes one thing from another. Has equal distance between values. Has a true Zero point. Ex. Height, weight, test scores.

N.O.I.R.?

Nominal, Ordinal, Interval, Ratio = 4 scales.

Research Design?

How the gathering of data is conducted. If you screw up the gathering of data - the 1st step- there is no way to go back to fix it.

Methodology?

How we go about getting the numbers together.

Correlation Research?

Goal is to describe the level of the association between 2 or more variables.

Survey or Questionnaire?

Most common form of research correlation research.

Naturalistic Observation?

Observing behavior in natural environment.

Case study?

A very detailed description of one individual.

Experimental Research?

Research that happens in a Lab / in a controlled environment.

Hypothesis?

A specific testable prediction that will either be proven true or untrue.

Control Group?

Group that does not receive the treatment( or does not have the characteristics of interest).

Experimental Group?

Receives whatever the independent variable is.

Parameters?

Numerical characteristics of a population.

Measures of central tendency?

Different ways to conceptualize averages.

Mean?

Appropriate measure of central tendancy for the interval and ratio scales of measure.

Discrete variable?

Can only be measured in fixed amounts.

Continuous variable?

Can be measured in fractional amounts.

Variation?

Differences or changes in an item.

Categorial

Describes a quality or class.

Numerical?

Describes a quantity or measurement.

Skewed?

Lack of symmetry.

Positively Skewed Distribution?

Disproportionately large # of low scores and a few extreme high scores. Mode>Median>Mean