PSY 1900: Quiz 1

statistics (definition)

set of methods to objectively describe and measure aspects of nature from samples

population (definition)

all the individual units* of interest

sample (definition)

a subset of units taken from the population (from whom we actually have data)

parameter (definition)

a quantity describing a population

estimate (definition)

related quantity calculated from a sample (also called a statistic)

inferential statistical test (definition)

a mathematical test that uses sample data to evaluate a hypothesis about a population

sampling error (definition)

the difference between an estimate taken from a sample and from the “real” measurement from a population

accurate (definition)

• not biased

• often based on choice of sample

precise (definition)

• repeatable

• Often based on HOW you measure

common types of bias

• sample of convenience

• volunteer bias