Chapter 1 - Review Questions Flashcards
(35 cards)
What is the goal of behavioral research?
To understand the laws of nature pertaining to the behaviors of living organisms.
Why is it important for students of behavioral research to understand statistics?
How are samples used to make conclusions about populations?
Assuming the sample is representative, we use the scores and behaviors observed in the sample to infer the scores and behaviors that would be found in the population.
What are researchers really referring to when they talk about the population?
The behavior of everyone in a specified group in nature.
What pattern among the X and Y scores do you see when a relationship exists between them?
A relationship exists when as the scores on one variable change, the scores on the other variable change in a consistent fashion.
What pattern among the X and Y scores do you see when no relationship is present?
No consistent pattern of change occurs with virtually the same batch of Y scores occurring at every X.
What is the difference in the pattern among the X and Y scores between (a) a perfectly consistent relationship and (b) a less consistent (weaker) relationship?
It accurately reflects the scores and relationship in the population.
What is a representative sample?
It is different from and inaccurately reflects the data found in the population.
What is an unrepresentative sample?
It is different from and inaccurately reflects the data found in the population.
What produces an unrepresentative sample?
The luck of the draw of the particular participants selected for the sample.
What is the general purpose of experiments and correlational studies?
What is the difference between an experiment and a correlational study?
In an experiment, the researcher actively controls and manipulates one variable (the independent variable). In a correlational study, the researcher passively measures participants’ scores on two variables.
What is the difference between the independent variable and the conditions of the independent variable?
The independent variable is the overall variable the researcher is interested in; the conditions are the specific amounts or categories of the independent variable under which participants are tested.
What are descriptive statistics used for?
What are inferential statistics used for?
What is the difference between a statistic and a parameter?
Statistics describe an aspect of a sample, and parameters describe an aspect of a population.
What types of symbols are used for statistics and for parameters?
Statistics are symbolized by English letters, and parameters are symbolized by Greek letters.
What are the four scales of measurement?
Nominal, Ordinal, Interval, Ratio
Distinguish between continuous and discrete variables.
A continuous variable allows for fractional amounts. A discrete variable measures fixed amounts that cannot be broken into smaller amounts.
Which scales are usually assumed to be discrete, and which are assumed to be continuous?
Nominal and ordinal scales are assumed to be discrete; interval and ratio scales are assumed to be continuous.
What are the two aspects of a study to consider when selecting the descriptive or inferential statistics you should employ?
Researcher A gives participants various amounts of alcohol and then observes any decrease in their ability to walk. Researcher B notes the various amounts of alcohol that participants drink at a party and then observes any decrease in their ability to walk. Which study is an experiment, and which is a correlational study? Why?
Researcher A has an experiment because alcohol consumption is manipulated. Researcher B has a correlational study because both variables are simply measured.
Maria asked a sample of college students about their favorite beverage. Based on what the majority said, she concluded that most college students prefer drinking carrot juice to other beverages! What statistical argument can you give for not accepting this conclusion?
Identify the independent variable, the conditions, and
the dependent variable:
Studying whether final exam scores are influenced by whether concurrent background music is soft, loud, or absent
The independent variable is volume of music. The conditions are whether the music is soft, loud, or absent. The dependent variable is the final exam score.
