PSY30100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Operational Definition, Mode X, Level Of Measurement
Document Summary
Variable - a characteristic/condition that can change or take on different values. Most research questions start by questioning the relationship between 2+ variables. e. g. the effect of number of hours of sleep (variable 1) on class performance (variable 2) with the two variables being measured on separate scales. Population - an entire group of individuals with a particular characteristic or set of characteristics. Sample - a small group of individuals that accurately represent a population on a smaller scale. Results from the sample should be transferable to all members of the population. Population parameters - quantities/variables used to summarise a population e. g. age, gender make- up, height. Sample statistics - same thing but for sample. Descriptive statistics - methods for organising and summarising data (tables, pie charts, graphs, etc. ) Inferential statistics - methods for using sample data to reach general conclusions about populations. Sampling error - discrepancies between population parameters and sample statistics.
