Introductory Statistics - Study Guide

Statistics: what is the point? To answer our questions about the world.Test theoriesConstruct scales, measurement tools, test batteriesSay something evidence-based about people or groups of peopleMake predictionsAssess patients clinicallyStatistics is one of the core components of psychology that makes it an empirical science. What makes for good science?Clear, testable research questionsWell-designed research paradigmsProperly operationalized and measured variablesCorrect treatment of dataHonest interpretation of data and statistical outcomes Transparency and disclosure at all stages“Intelligence”Intelligence Quotient (IQ)“Distress” Diagnosis of disorders“Personality”PersonalityIn the end, we get data - operationalizationA collection of observationsCharacteristics or qualitiesNumerical measurementsCounts, frequencies, occurrences A variable is the characteristic gathered from our measurement.Not all variables are of the same scale!Nominal (categorical) scaleEach category is meaningful but cannot be compared to one another[example] Mode of transport;