412 Statistics

Question 1

descriptive statistics

Answer 1

• characterizing a data set using measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode) and of spread (variance, standard deviation)

Question 2

inferential statistics

Answer 2

• using data from a sample to infer things about a corresponding population
• must estimate whether the observed data is random or if it can be extended to apply to the population

Question 3

p-value

Answer 3

• probability of obtaining a difference as big as the one observed when there is actually no difference (under the null hypothesis)
• cutoff is typically .05

Question 4

stats to observe the difference between groups

Answer 4

• t-tests (two groups)
• ANOVA (more than two groups)

Question 5

stats to observe whether two continuous variables are related to each other

Answer 5

• correlation (r)
• no causality
• null hypothesis: r=0

Question 6

stats for more than two variables

Answer 6

• one outcome variable and more than one independent variable
• multiple regression - unique contribution of each IV on the DV while controlling for the other IV

Question 7

risk factor

Answer 7

increase the chance of a negative outcome

Question 8

protective factor

Answer 8

• decrease the chance of a negative outcome (can be less of a bad thing or more of a good thing)
• four type: protective, protective-stabilizing, protective-enhancing, protective-reactive

Question 9

protective-stabilizing factor

Answer 9

• keeps you at the same level while exposure to risk increases (works at all levels of risk, not just low-risk)
• facing increasing bullying, but peer relationships are acting as a protective-stabilizing factor = well-being is unaffected

Question 10

protective-enhancing factor

Answer 10

• works even better when risk exposure increases
• competitiveness: outcomes are even better as you’re put under more pressure/stress

Question 11

protective-reactive factor

Answer 11

• it works, but its positive effects become less strong as exposure to risk increases (not the same decrement/flatter drop as a regular protective factor)
• listening to music will work well under low stress, but won’t help very much under extreme stress

Question 12

main effect

Answer 12

• association between IV and DV

Question 13

interaction/moderation

Answer 13

• the association between an IV and the DV depends on the value of the other IV
• relationship changing as a function of the third variable
• effect of gender on depression gets larger as puberty continues (bigger and bigger gender differences in rates of depression)

Question 14

mediator variables

Answer 14

• impact the process/mechanism/means through which a variable produces a particular outcome (explains why two other variables are related to each other)
• can be partial or full mediation (no direct relationship leftover after you account for the mediator)
• indirect effect: IV is indirectly associated with DV through [mediator]