QM Lesson 2 Vocab

Reliability

consistency of repeated measurements of the same thing

Gaussian distribution

normal distribution; bell-shaped curve

sample

number of items actually measured from a population

frequency

number of times a particular value of a variable occurs

median

numeric middle

Mode

one value that occurs with the greatest frequency in the data set

dichotomous variable

only two opposing choices (male or female)

standard deviation

measurement of how widely spread the values in a data set are from the mean

accepted value

the correct value based on reliable references

error

the difference between the experimental value and the accepted value

Validity

the extent to which a test measures or predicts what it is supposed to

reliability

the extent to which a test yields consistent results, as assessed by the consistency of scores on two halves of the test, on alternate forms of the test, or on retesting

Frequency

the total set of observations that can be made

Variance

(n.) - a difference between what is expected and what actually occurs

Accuracy

. another term often referred to as validity

central tendency

. central position of a sample frequency

continuous variable

. infinite range of possible mathematical values

data set

. information acquired by evaluating the particular sample

Variation

A change or slight difference in condition, amount, or level.

Bias

A particular preference or point of view that is personal, rather than scientific.

mean

calculated average set of observations

Poisson Distribution

Probability distribution often used to describe the number of arrivals during a given time period.

experimental value

a quantitative value measured during an experiment

validity

accuracy

Range

difference between the highest and lowest values

independent variable

variable deliberately manipulated to cause a change on the dependent variable

dependent variable

variables that are observed, change in response to independent variable