Chapter 1- Introduction and Basic Concepts

Question 1

Data

Answer 1

a set of scores, measurements, or observations that are typically numeric. A datum (singular) is a single measurement or observation, usually referred to as a score or raw score.

Question 2

Descriptive statistics

Answer 2

procedures used to summarize, organize, and make sense of a set of scores called data. Descriptive statistics are typically presented graphically, in tabular form (in tables), or as summary statistics (single values)

Question 3

General Structure for Making Scientific Observations

Answer 3

1. Ask a question
2. Set up a research study
3. Evaluate findings
4. Measure behavior

Question 4

Inferential statistics

Answer 4

procedures used that allow researchers to infer or generalize observations made with samples to the larger population from which they were selected

Question 5

population

Answer 5

the set of all individuals, items, or data of interest. This is the group about which scientists will generalize.

Question 6

population parameter

Answer 6

A characteristic (usually numeric) that describes a population

Question 7

sample

Answer 7

a set of individuals, items, or data selected from a population of interest.

Question 8

sample statistic.

Answer 8

A characteristic (usually numeric) that describes a sample

Question 9

Science

Answer 9

the study of phenomena, such as behavior, through strict observation, evaluation, interpretation, and theoretical explanation.

Question 10

The research method, or scientific method

Answer 10

a set of systematic techniques used to acquire, modify, and integrate knowledge concerning observable and measurable phenomena.

Question 11

experiment

Answer 11

the use of methods and procedures to make observations in which a researcher fully controls the conditions and experiences of participants by applying three required elements of control (manipulation, randomization, and comparison/control) to isolate cause-and-effect relationships between variables.

Question 12

Random assignment

Answer 12

a random procedure used to ensure that participants in a study have an equal chance of being assigned to a particular group or condition.

Question 13

independent variable (IV

Answer 13

the variable that is manipulated in an experiment. This variable remains unchanged (or “independent”) between conditions being observed in an experiment. It is the “presumed cause.” The specific conditions of an IV are referred to as the levels of the independent variable.

Question 14

dependent variable (DV)

Answer 14

the variable that is measured in each group of a study, and is believed to change in the presence of the independent variable. It is the “presumed effect.”

Question 15

operational definition

Answer 15

a description of some observable event in terms of the specific process or manner by which it was observed or measured.

Question 16

quasi-independent variable

Answer 16

a preexisting variable that is often a characteristic inherent to an individual, which differentiates the groups or conditions being compared in a research study. Because the levels of the variable are preexisting, it is not possible to randomly assign participants to groups.

Question 17

quasi-experiment

Answer 17

The study does not include a manipulated independent variable.
The study lacks a comparison/control group.

Question 18

Scales of measurement

Answer 18

identify how the properties of numbers can change with different uses. Four scales of measurement are nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio.

Question 19

Nominal scales

Answer 19

measurements in which a number is assigned to represent something or someone.

Question 20

Coding

Answer 20

the procedure of converting a nominal or categorical variable to a numeric value.

Question 21

Ordinal scales

Answer 21

measurements that convey order or rank alone

Examples of ordinal scales include finishing order in a competition, education level, and rankings

Question 22

Interval scales

Answer 22

measurements that have no true zero and are distributed in equal units.

A common example for this in behavioral science is the rating scale

Question 23

equidistant scale

Answer 23

a set of numbers distributed in equal units.

Question 24

Ratio scales

Answer 24

A ratio scale is equidistant, has a true zero, and is the most informative scale of measurement.

Question 25

continuous variable

Answer 25

measured along a continuum at any place beyond the decimal point. A continuous variable can thus be measured in fractional units.

Question 26

discrete variable

Answer 26

measured in whole units or categories that are not distributed along a continuum.

Question 27

quantitative variable

Answer 27

varies by amount. This variable is measured numerically and is often collected by measuring or counting.

Question 28

qualitative variable

Answer 28

varies by class. This variable is often represented as a label and describes nonnumeric aspects of phenomena.

Question 29

What is the difference between data and a raw score?

Answer 29

Data describe a set of measurements (made up of raw scores); a raw score describes individual
measurements.

Question 30

A researcher measured behavior among all individuals in a small population. Are inferential statistics necessary to draw conclusions concerning this population? Explain.

Answer 30

in situations where the researcher has complete information about the population, inferential statistics are not necessary. The researcher can use descriptive statistics to summarize the behavior of the individuals in the population and draw conclusions based on that information.

Question 31

What are the two types of variables that are quantitative?

Answer 31

Continuous and discrete