Descriptive Statistics & Research Methods – Lecture 1 Vocabulary

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A set of vocabulary flashcards covering core terms from the first statistics lecture in PSYCH 01/2002.

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25 Terms

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Statistics in Psychology

The quantitative backbone of psychological research, allowing rigorous, scientific analysis of data.

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Descriptive Statistics

Numbers or graphics that summarize and describe the main features of a data set (e.g., mean, SD, histograms).

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Inferential Statistics

Techniques used to draw conclusions about a population from a sample (e.g., p-values, significance tests).

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Quantitative Methods

Research approaches that generate numerical data and rely on statistical analysis.

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Qualitative Methods

Non-numerical, narrative approaches that explore meaning, experience, or context.

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Experimental Research

A design involving manipulation of an independent variable and random assignment to establish cause-and-effect.

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Randomized Controlled Design

An experiment where participants are randomly allocated to experimental or control groups to minimize bias.

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Independent Variable (IV)

The variable a researcher manipulates or categorizes to observe its effect (e.g., intervention vs. control).

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Dependent Variable (DV)

The outcome measured in a study, expected to change in response to the IV (e.g., maths grades).

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Categorical Variable

A variable composed of distinct groups or categories (e.g., male/female, pass/fail).

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Continuous Variable

A variable with numeric values along a continuum (e.g., test scores 0–100).

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t Test

A statistical test comparing the means of two groups on a continuous DV, accounting for score variability.

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Correlation (r)

A statistic ranging from –1 to +1 that quantifies the strength and direction of association between two continuous variables.

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Positive Correlation

An association where higher values on one variable relate to higher values on the other (e.g., drinks ↑, hangover ↑).

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Negative Correlation

An association where higher values on one variable relate to lower values on the other (e.g., drinks ↑, driving ability ↓).

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Effect Size

A descriptive statistic (e.g., correlation, mean difference) indicating the magnitude of a relationship or effect.

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Measures of Central Tendency

Statistics that locate the center of a distribution (mean, median, mode).

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Measures of Variability

Statistics describing score spread (range, variance, standard deviation).

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Histogram

A bar graph showing the frequency distribution of a single continuous variable.

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Scatter Plot

A graph displaying pairs of scores on two variables as dots, revealing possible correlations.

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Sample

The subset of a population actually studied and analyzed.

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Population

The entire group of interest about which researchers wish to draw conclusions.

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Random Assignment

The process of allocating participants to conditions purely by chance to equalize groups.

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"Intelligence is a Muscle" Intervention

An educational manipulation teaching students that IQ is malleable, used to test effects on math performance.

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Vitamin D Hypothesis (COVID-19)

The proposal that higher vitamin D levels might reduce COVID-19 severity—a relationship found to be minimal in studies.