Correlations, Confounds, and Statistical Power

These flashcards focus on key vocabulary related to correlations, confounds, and statistical power as discussed in the lecture notes.

Correlation

A statistical measure that describes the extent to which two variables change together.

Confound

A variable that influences both the dependent variable and independent variable, leading to a false association.

Statistical Power

The probability that a study will detect an effect when there is an effect there to be detected.

Mean

The average of a set of numbers, calculated by adding them up and dividing by the count of numbers.

Median

The middle value in a list of numbers that has been organized in ascending order.

Standard Deviation (SD)

A measure of the amount of variation or dispersion of a set of values.

Statistical Significance

A statistical statement of how likely it is that an obtained result occurred by chance.

Null Hypothesis (H0)

A statement that there is no effect or no difference, used as a default position until evidence suggests otherwise.

Type I Error

Incorrectly rejecting the null hypothesis when it is actually true.

Type II Error

Failing to reject the null hypothesis when it is false.

Differential Research Design

A non-experimental design used to compare variables by observing existing differences.

Artifact

An observed effect that is not a true effect but is caused by a confounding variable.

Causal Statement

A declaration that one event is the result of the occurrence of another event.

Effect Size

A quantitative measure of the magnitude of a phenomenon.

Sample Size

The number of observations or replicates included in a statistical sample.

Correlational Research

A type of non-experimental research that measures the relationship between variables.

Statistically Significant Result

A result that is unlikely to have occurred by chance, indicating evidence against the null hypothesis.

A ___ (H0) is a statement that there is no effect or no difference, used as a default position until evidence suggests otherwise.

Null Hypothesis