probability and significance

Question 1

probability

Answer 1

a measure of the likelihood that a particular event will occur where 0 indicates statistical impossibility and 1 statistical certainty

Question 2

significance

Answer 2

a statistical term that tells us how sure we are that a difference or correlation exists

• a significant result means that the researcher can reject the null hypothesis

Question 3

critical value

Answer 3

when testing a hypothesis, the numerical boundary or cut-off point between acceptance and rejection of the null hypothesis

Question 4

type 1 error

Answer 4

the incorrect rejection of a true null hypothesis

(a false positive)

Question 5

type 1 error

Answer 5

the failure to reject a false null hypothesis

(a false negative)

Question 6

What factors can increase the likelihood of a Type 1 error in psychology statistical testing?

Answer 6

• higher probability level

Question 7

What factors can increase the likelihood of a Type 2 error in psychology statistical testing?

Answer 7

• lower probability level

Question 8

example question - what is the likelihood of the psychologist having made a type 1 error

Answer 8

• state likelihood eg 5%
• explanation eg type 1 when claims support for research hypothesis with stat test when variables in score are due to chance variables
• if set at 5% - one in twenty chance or less that due to chance rather than influence of the independent variable or some other factors