Quantitative Research - Data Analysis

Flashcards covering key concepts in quantitative research and data analysis, focusing on descriptive and inferential statistics.

What is the purpose of descriptive statistics?

To describe and summarize data.

What are three main components of descriptive statistics?

Frequency distributions, measures of central tendency, measures of variability.

What is the mode in the context of central tendency?

The value that appears most frequently in a data set.

What is the median in statistics?

The middle value when data points are arranged in order.

What does 'mean' refer to in statistics?

The average of a set of numbers, calculated by dividing the sum of all values by the number of values.

What was the mean income reported in the statistics?

$78,000.

What statistical test decisions are involved in inferential statistics?

Develop null and research hypotheses, choose a level of significance, determine appropriate statistical test.

How do you determine which statistical test is appropriate?

Identify the research question/hypothesis, independent and dependent variables, measurement levels, and whether a parametric or non-parametric analysis is suitable.

What is range in terms of measures of variability?

The difference between the highest and lowest values in a dataset.

What is a standard deviation in the context of variability?

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

What are some key questions to consider when critiquing quantitative data analysis?

Trustworthiness of results, sense of analysis considering variables, multiple comparisons, statistical significance, and clinical significance.