Statistics: 1.2 VARIABLES AND RESEARCH DESIGNS

what is a variable? 1 pt

any observation that can take on different values in different circumstances

it can change or vary

what is a categorical variable? 1 pt

a variable that cannot be quantifies and is defined on the basis of some qualitative property

it can be symbolized by a number but the number represents a category

what are nominal variables?

a category or name that cannot be ordered e.g. martial status

what is an ordinal variable? 1 pt

data that can be ranked and ordered e.g. educational level

what is a numeric variable

refers to the quantifiable characteristics ( it can be counted) and can be discrete (whole numbers) or continous (decimals)

what are interval variables? 1 pt

used with numbers that are equally spaced and there is no true zero and can be used to calculate differences in values

what are ratio variables? 1 pt

they are similar to interval variables but they have a true zero and can be used to calculate the differences in values but also multiply and divide values

what is a research design? 1 pt

methods, techniques, and general frameworks used by researchers to answer research questions and determines how we collect and analyse data

types of quantitative research designs? 4 pts

1. surveys

2. correlational studies

3. experimental studies

4. quasi-experimental studies

types of qualitative research designs? 4 pts

1. ethnography

2. case studies

3. historical records

4. narrative records

what is a misinterpretation? 1 pt

an interpretation of the results that is not consistent with the actual findings e.g. confounders or Simpson’s paradox

what is a confounding variable? 1 pt

variables that systematically vary with the independent variable so that we cannot determine which variable is at work

what is simpson’s paradox? 1 pt

when a trend appears in several groups but diappears when confounding variables and causal relationships are appropriately addressed