Biostats Flashcards

1
Q

What is correlation?

A

A statistical technique used to measure the relationship between 2 variables

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

When performing a correlation analysis, do you manipulate the variables that you are studying?

A

No - the variables are usually not manipulated. They are simply observed as they exist naturally in the environment.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the value of using a scatter plot to look at correlations?

A

It allows you to see patterns and trends that exist in the data

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What 3 characteristics are measured by correlation between 2 variables?

A

Direction

Form

Strength/consistency

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is meant by the direction of a correlation?

A

Whether the correlation is positive (as x increases so does Y) or negative (as x increases, y decreases)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is meant by the form of a correlation?

A

Whether the correlation is a straight line or curved line

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is meant by the strength/consistency of a correlation?

A

Correlation of 1 = perfect fit

Correlation of 0 = no fit

How closely the data suits a line format is

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What 4 things can correlations be used for?

A

Prediction

Validity

Reliability

Theory validation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

How can correlation be used to predict?

A

If 2 variables have a reliable relationship, then one can be used to predict the other

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

How can correlation be used to validate?

A

If x is supposed to be related to Y, then X and Y should be correlated

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

How can correlation be used to show reliability?

A

If x and y have a strong and reliable relationship, then x and y shouldbe strongly correlated.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

How can correlation be used for theory validation?

A

the prediction of the theory could be tested by determining the correlation between the 2 variables

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the pearson correlation?

What is the equation for the pearson correlation?

A

Measures the degree and direction of a linear relationship between variables

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

True/False: Correlation implies causation.

A

False

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

True/False: Correlation values can be greatly affected by the range of scores in the data.

A

True

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

True/False: Outliers have very little effect on a correlation value.

A

False, they have a dramatic effect

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

True/False: a correlation can be interpreted as a proportion. Ex: r = 0.5 means that predictions can be made with 50% accuracy.

A

False.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is regression?

A

A procedure that identifies and defines the straight line that provides the best fit for any specific set of data. The resulting line is called the regression line.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What does the regression line represent?

A

The central tendency of the relationship, or simplified description of the relationship. It can be used for prediction.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is multiple regression?

A

The process of using several predictor variables to help obtain a more accurate prediction

21
Q

What is the equation for multiple regression lines (for 2 predictor case)?

A

Y = m1X1 + m2X2 + b

22
Q

What is the goal of multiple regression?

A

To produce the most accurate estimated values of Y

23
Q

What is the standard error of estimate for regression lines?

A

Gives a measure of the distance between a regression line and the actual data points.

24
Q

What are the 4 basic steps of hypothesis testing?

A
25
Q
A
26
Q

What does parametric and non-parametric mean?

A

Parametric = normally distributed

Non-parametric = not normally distributed

27
Q
A
28
Q

If you are comparing two proportions, what statistical tests are available to you?

A

Small sample size –> Fisher’s exact test

Large sample size –> Chi-square test

29
Q

If you are comparing means from different samples, what is the next question you need to ask about your data?

A

Are the samples dependent (i.e. compare waist circumference of the same patient from before a diet intervention to their waist circumference after diet intervention) or independent (i.e. compare average waist circumference of a control group who did not receive the diet intervention to the average waist circumference of a group who did receive the intervention)?

30
Q

For a parametric, independent sample, what test would be performed to compare the sample means in the following scenaios:

  • 1 sample mean vs. the population mean
  • 2 sample means
  • > 2 sample means
A
31
Q

With regards to t-tests, independent is synonymous with […] and dependent is synonymous with […]

A

Unpaired

Paired

32
Q

For a non-parametric, independent sample, what test would be performed to compare the sample means in the following scenaios:

  • 2 sample means
  • > 2 sample means
A
33
Q

For a non-parametric, dependent sample, what test would be performed to compare the sample means in the following scenaios:

  • 2 sample groups
  • > 2 sample groups
A
34
Q

For a parametric, dependent sample, what test would be performed to compare the sample means in the following scenaios:

  • 2 sample groups
  • > 2 sample groups
A
35
Q

Identify the type of statistical test that would be most appropriate for these scenarios.

A
36
Q

When do you need to use an ANOVA test?

A

When you want to compare more than 2 means or more than 2 groups

37
Q

Identify the type of statistical test that would be most appropriate in these scenarios.

A
38
Q

The word “Factor” when used to refer to ANOVAs is synonymous with [independent or dependent] variable.

A

Independent

39
Q

What statistical test would be most appropriate in this scenario?

A
40
Q

What is a level of a factor?

A

The degree of manipulation of the factor.

41
Q

College students were asked to estimate another student’s willingness to help load a sofa into a van in return for a cash payment of either 0.50 or 5, or candy of equivalent value (low amount or high amount).

In this example, what are the factors and levels?

A

Factor: Type of payment

  • Levels: cash, candy

Factor: Amount of payment

  • Levels: Low (0.50 or low candy value), high (5 or high candy value)
42
Q
A
43
Q
A
44
Q

For an ANOVA test, what does between treatments variance measure? What about within treatments variance?

A
45
Q

An ANOVA test allows you to isolate the […] while taking into account individual difference and chance.

A

Treatment effect

46
Q

What does an F ratio of 1 mean?

A
47
Q

What is “post-hoc” testing and when is it done?

A

Post hoc tests are additional hypothesis tests that are done after an ANOVA to determine which mean differences are significant and which are not. It is necessary when an ANOVA returns a significant F-ratio because you cannot determine from that alone which sample groups are significantly different and which are not.

48
Q

Data that are considered nominal or ordinal are [categorical or quantitative]

A

Categorical

49
Q

For proportional data, how do you know when to use fisher’s vs. chi squared?

A