Sociology 2206A/B Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Statistical Parameter, Sampling Distribution, Field Experiment

• School: Western University
• Department: Sociology
• Course: Sociology 2206A/B
• Professor: William Marshall

Document Summary

Tells us the shape of the sampling distribution and tells us its mean and standard deviation. If we begin with a trait that is normally distributed across a population (iq, Height) and take an infinite number of equally sized random samples from that population, the sampling distribution of sample means will be normal. For any trait or variable, even those that are not normally distributed in the population, as the sample size grows larger the sampling distribution of sample means will become normal in shape. The difference between the statistic (sample) and parameter (population) Theoretical construct- it is impossible to know the true population parameter. Should theoretically be reduced with a representative sample (the difference should be minimized) Confidence intervals-allow for the possibility of error (ex. Hidden populations (usually have to use non-probability methods b/c small in size) Non-response/missing data (i. e. won"t answer questions pertaining to income)