Descriptive and Inferential Statistics 90%

Compare and contrast measures of central tendency and measures of variability.

Measures of central tendency and measures of variability are both components of descriptive statistics and provide information about data sample scores. However, measures of central tendency provide information about the summary of data scores as represented by the mean, median, and mode. Measures of variability, such as the range and standard deviation, provide information on how far scores are spread out or vary through a distribution.

A nondirectional alternative hypothesis claims that no difference will be found between the research variables. t/f?

false?

Descriptive statistics is used in order to analyze the relationship between variables. t/f?

false?

In a normal distribution, the mean, median, and mode are the same value. t/f?

false?

Compare and contrast correlation and regression.

Both correlation and regression are used in inferential statistics as types of correlational analysis, which looks at the relationships between variables. However, correlation is used only to determine if a relationship between variables exist, whereas regression is used to determine if one variable influences another or to predict variable outcomes.

Explain why researchers cannot claim causation when examining the relationship between variables.

Researchers cannot claim that one variable causes another because they are not entirely sure which variable impacts the other when examining the relationship between them. Researchers also do not know for sure how many unknown or untested variables influence another variable. Therefore, claiming that one variable causes another would be inaccurate.

Define statistics and give an example of three types of variables that researchers study using statistics.

Statistics is a set of methods that researchers use to collect and analyze information or data about different variables. An example of a variable can be behavior, facts, performance, beliefs, attitudes, or emotions. Specific examples of variables such as age, height, depression, exercise habits, and self-esteem are also acceptable.

A researcher claiming that females were more empathetic than males would test that hypothesis by using __________ statistics. A. inferential B. exploratory C. descriptive D. correlational

a

A specific factor having a range of possible values is a __________. A. variable B. mean C. median D. mode

a

If the observed test value of a hypothesis test is outside of the established critical value(s), a researcher would __________. claim significant support for the hypothesis claim no significant support for the hypothesis restate the hypothesis more clearly repeat the experiment until support is found

a

The difference between the largest and smallest variable score in a set of data is the __________. A. range B. standard deviation C. median D. mode

a

The mean, median, and mode of a distribution are __________. A. measures of central tendency B. measures of variability C. types of transformed scores D. types of deviations

a

When psychologists refer to the relationships between variables, they are referring to ___________. A. correlation B. regression C. standard deviation D. scatter plots

a

__________ correlation between two variables means that as scores on one variable increase, then scores on another variable also increase. A negative No A neutral A positive

a positive

A statistical analysis used to examine the influence of one variable on another is __________. A. correlation B. regression C. description D. comparison

b

Based on the location of the observed test value, what would a psychologist conclude about the research results? A. The psychologist would claim that the research results were significant. B. The psychologist would claim that the research results were nonsignificant. C. The psychologist would claim that there is insufficient data in the research. D. The psychologist would claim that the critical values are inaccurate.

b

The average distance between the variable scores and the mean in a set of data is the __________. A. range B. standard deviation C. mean D. median

b

The range and standard deviation of a distribution are __________. A. measures of central tendency B. measures of variability C. types of transformed scores D. types of percentiles

b

A research study that produces a correlation coefficient of -0.90 indicates __________ relationship between variables. A. a medium positive B. a strong negative C. no D. a weak negative

b?

Correlational research results depicting a correlation coefficient of 0.5 means that the associated variables demonstrate a __________ relationship. A. weak negative B. moderately positive C. weak positive D. strong positive

b?

A(n) __________ refers to a specific factor that has a range of possible values. A. hypothesis B. method C. variable D. observation

c

Standard deviation refers to the __________. A. statistics used to organize, summarize, and describe sample data B. value within a given set of data in its original form C. average distance between variable scores and the mean in a set of data D. difference between the largest and smallest variable scores in a set of data

c

What is used to analyze sample data in order to make conclusions about a population? A. hypotheses B. ranges C. inferential statistics D. standard deviations

c

Statistics used to analyze sample data in order to make conclusions about a population are called __________ statistics. A. nondirectional B. directional C. inferential D. descriptive

c?

__________ is an example of a directional research hypothesis. A. "Happiness level varies by age" B. "Car color affects the number of traffic tickets given" C. "The amount of television watched affects grades" D. "Males report higher marital satisfaction than females"

d?

A negative correlation between two variables indicates that one variable score increases as another variable score decreases.

true