Statistical Reasoning in Everyday Life

Teachers

________ use descriptive statistics to assess how their student have performed.

Averages

________ derived from scores with low variability are more reliable than ________ based on scores with high variability.

mode

The mean, ________, and median all tell completely different stories because the mean is biased by a few extreme outcomes.

Mode

The most frequently occurring scores in a distribution

Mean

The arithmetic average of a distribution, obtained by adding the scores and then dividing by the number of scores

Median

The middle score in a distribution, half below and half above

Skewed Distribution

A representation of scores that lack symmetry around their average value

Standard Deviation

A computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean score

Normal Curve

A symmetrical, bell-shaped curve that describes the distribution of many types of data; most scores fall near the mean and fewer near the extremes

How confidently, can we infer that an observed difference is not just a fluke-

a chance result from the research sample

Variability

Liability to vary or change

Statistical Significance

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

Inferential Statistics

Numerical data that allow one to generalize- to infer from sample data the probability of something being true of a population.

Descriptive Statistics

Numerical data used to measure and describe characteristics of groups

Histogram

A bar graph depicting a frequency distribution

Range

The difference between the highest and lowest scores in distribution

Descriptive Statistics

Numerical data used to measure and describe characteristics of groups. Includes measures of central tendency and measures of variation.

Histogram

A bar graph depicting a frequency distribution.

Mode

The most frequently occurring scores in a distribution

Mean

The arithmetic average of a distribution, obtained by adding the scores and then dividing by the number of scores.

Median

The middle score in a distribution, half below and half above.

Skewed Distribution

A representation of scores that lack symmetry around their average value.

Range

the difference between the highest and lowest scores in distribution.

Standard Deviation

A computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean score.

Normal Curve

A symmetrical, bell-shaped curve that describes the distribution of many types of data; most scores fall near the mean and fewer near the extremes.

Inferential Statistics

Numerical data that allow one to generalize- to infer from sample data the probability of something being true of a population.

Statistical Significance

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