Elementary Statistics Section 1.4 Flashcards

Observational Study

The researcher merely observes what is happening or what has happened in the past and tries to draw conclusions based on these observations

Experimental Study

The researcher manipulates one of the variables and tries to determine how the manipulation influences other variables. The subjects and treatments are assigned randomly. When the subjects cannot be assigned randomly, it is called quasi-experimental

Independent Variable

The variable being manipulated by the researcher (explanatory variable) (input)

Dependent Variable

The variable that results from the manipulation (outcome variable) (output)

Treatment Group

In an experimental study, the group for which the independent variable receives manipulation is called the treatment group

Control Group

In an experimental study, the group for which the independent variable is not manipulated is called the control group

Confounding Variable

A confounding variable is one that influences the dependent or outcome variable but was not separated from the independent variable

Ambiguous Averages

Several values including the value that occurs most often, the middle value of an ordered list, the arithmetic average, or the midrange, could be reported as the average or typical value

Detached Statistics

A detached statistic is one in which no comparison is made

Implied Connections

Use of words such as “may help” suggest a connection between variables that does not actually exist

Misleading Graphs

Inappropriate graphs can misrepresent data and lead to false conclusions

Faulty Survey Questions

How questions are phrased in a way that influences the way other people answer them

Changing the Subject

Using different values to represent the same data