Methods in Psychology (Chapter 2)

Question 1

Range

Answer 1

Difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution

Question 2

Measure of central tendency

Answer 2

Summarizes data - single score that represents a whole set of scores

Question 3

Mean

Answer 3

Average of score

Question 4

Median

Answer 4

Middle score, half of scores are above it and half below.

Question 5

Mode

Answer 5

Most frequently occurring score

Question 6

Standard deviatoin

Answer 6

Computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean score

Question 7

Longitudinal Study

Answer 7

Study the same cohort over time

Question 8

Cohort

Answer 8

group of people who share similar characteristics or experience

Question 9

Cross-sectional study

Answer 9

study of people in different cohorts at the same point in time

Question 10

negative r variable

Answer 10

negative correlation (less is more)

Question 11

positive r variable

Answer 11

positive correlation (more is more)

Question 12

r variable = 0

Answer 12

little to no correlation

Question 13

Descriptive statistics

Answer 13

Used to summarize, organize, characterize

Question 14

Descriptive statistics include…

Answer 14

Central tendency, correlation, variability

Question 15

Inferential statistics

Answer 15

Used to compare differences, find out statistical significance, draw conclusions

Question 16

Inferential statistics include…

Answer 16

Probability testing

Question 17

independent variable on a graph

Answer 17

x axis

Question 18

dependent variable on a graph

Answer 18

y axis

Question 19

Normal/bell curve

Answer 19

mean, median, and mode are all the same or close

Question 20

Negative skew

Answer 20

Left skew, most scores are in the high range. test was too easy

Question 21

Positive skew

Answer 21

Right skew, most scores are in the low range. Test was too hard

Question 22

Probability variable

Answer 22

p

Question 23

If p is less than 0.05…

Answer 23

Statistically significant. 95% certainty the result was not due to chance

Question 24

Null hypothesis

Answer 24

Hypothesis that there is no correlation between populations

Question 25

Type I error

Answer 25

Occurs when a causal relationship is observed, when none exist (false positive)

Question 26

Type II error

Answer 26

Occurs when no causal relationships are found, when one does exist (false negative)