Define and give an example for
each statistical teRMS
1. Correlational research- Correlational research is a type of
non-experimental research in which the researcher measures
two variables and assesses the statistical relationship
between them with little or no effort to control extraneous
variables.
Example- The amount of money a person has might positively
correlate with the number of cars the person owns.
2. Data - Data are sets of numbers or pieces of information
obtained during research studies.
Example- A researcher may be interested in collecting data on
health-related behaviours such as frequency and amount of exercise.
3. Dependent Variable- The dependent variable is outcome
that is observed to occur or change after the occurrence or
variation of the independent variable in an experiment, or
the effect that one wants to predict or explain in correlational
research.
Example- In a study looking at how tutoring impacts test scores, the
dependent variable would be the participants' test scores.
4. Descriptive statistics – Descriptive statistics is the
procedure for depicting the main aspects of sample data,
without necessarily inferring to a larger population.
Example- Percentages, measures of central tendency (mean,
median, mode), measures of dispersion (range, standard
deviation, variance), and correlation coefficients.
5. Independent Variables- The independent variable is the
variable that is manipulated by the experimenter.
Example- In an experiment on the impact of sleep deprivation
on test performance, sleep deprivation would be the independent
variable.
6. Inferential Statistics- Inferential statistics are broad class
of statistical techniques that allow inferences about
characteristics of a population to be drawn from a sample of
data from that population while controlling the extent to
which errors of inference may be made.
Example- You might stand in a mall and ask a sample of 100
people if they like shopping at Sears.
7. Parameter-Parameter are the variables in a statistical
model that is studied or used to explain an outcome or
relationship.
Example- The mean score on a national exam for a sample
of colleges provides an estimate of this parameter in the population
of colleges.
8. Population-Population is defined as total number of
individuals in a given geographical area.
Example- Everyone who could possibly be a participant in the
study is part of the population.
9. Sample- Sample is a subset of a population of interest that
is selected for study with the aim of making inferences to the
population.
Example- Let's say your population was every American, and you
wanted to find out how much the average person earns. Time and
finances stop you from knocking on every door in America, so you
choose to ask 1,000 random people. This one thousand people is your
sample.
10. SPSS-Statistical Package for the Social Sciences is a
computer program used for statistical analysis and is also the
name of the company that sells it.
11. Statistics -Statistics is the science of collecting ,
organizing , presenting , analysing and interpreting numerical
data to assist in making more effective decisions.
Example- Statistical techniques such as extreme values, mean,
median, standard deviations, interquartile ranges, and distance
formulas are useful in exploring, summarizing, and visualizing data.
These techniques, though relatively simple, are a good starting point
for exploratory data analysis.
12. Nominal Variable - Nominal variable is a variable
whose possible values are unordered categories or labels.
Example- Choice of college major is a nominal variable.
13. Descriptive Research -Descriptive Research is an
empirical investigation designed to test pre-specified
hypotheses or to provide an overview of existing conditions,
and sometimes relationships, without manipulating variables
or seeking to establish cause and effect.
Example- A developmental psychologist who watches children
on a playground and describes what they say to each other while
they play is conducting descriptive research, as is a bio psychologist
who observes animals in their natural habitats.
14. Qualitative Data -Qualitative Data are the information
that is not expressed numerically.
Example- The hair colors of players on a football team, the color
of cars in a parking lot.
15. Quantitative Data -Quantitative Data are the
information expressed numerically.
Example - Population studies and samples to determine the
prevalence of a specific condition .Statistical analysis of trends in
mental health. Analysis of the frequency of certain conditions in
particular families, populations, locations, and environments.