Research methods- Descriptive statistics (Graphs...)

Question 1

What is a bar chart?

Answer 1

The height of each bar represents the frequency of each item. This graph is suitable for non-continuous data with a space between each bar representing this lack of continuity (use with category).

Question 2

What is a line graph?

Answer 2

This graph represents continuous data on the x-axis and there is a dot to mark the top of each bar and each dot is connected by a line.

Question 3

What is a histogram?

Answer 3

This graph represents continuous data on the x-axis so you cannot draw this type of graph if data is in categories. The vertical axis (frequency) must start at zero and there should be no gaps between the bars.

Question 4

What is scattergram?

Answer 4

This graph is used to represent data gathered from correlations. Each dot represents a single participant in relation to the two variables that are measured.

Question 5

What is a negative skew?

Answer 5

This distribution may occur when scores were plotted for a test that was too easy. Many people would have scored highly as it was not difficult to perform well. Also it means that the mean is pulled lower than the mode and the median.

Question 6

What is a normal distribution?

Answer 6

This distribution has a classic bell-shaped curve. Many human characteristics are normally distributed such as height and intelligence. The mean, median and mode are all in the exact mid-point with data distributed symmetrically around this midpoint.

Question 7

What is a positive skew?

Answer 7

This distribution may occur when there are a few extreme high scores which has a strong effect on the mean, pulling it higher than the median and mode

Question 8

What is a correlation?

Answer 8

A correlation is the strength of a relationship between the two variables.

Question 9

What is a correlation coefficient?

Answer 9

A correlation coefficient are statical tests for correlations that give a number, the coefficient. This will always be between +1 and -1. The signs in front of the numerical value tells us about the strength of the relationship.

Question 10

What is needed to have a perfectly negative correlation?

Answer 10

-One variable increases and one variable decreases.
-Co-variables
-Naturally occurring variables (not manipulated)

Question 11

What is needed to have a perfectly positive correlation?

Answer 11

-Both variables increase