PSYC 2030 Chapter Notes - Chapter 8, 3, 4: Statistical Inference, Design Of Experiments, Null Hypothesis
Document Summary
Interested in 2 possibilities: (1) whether results we have obtained are due to chance or (2) whether they represent real difference between 2 means. Inferential statistics never allow us to reach either conclusions with complete certainty. Statically tests never allow us to say out results are due to random processes. They can only tell us how likely they would be if they were due to a random process. Results of statistical tests can never tell us that our findings are not due to chance. Attempts to simplify the way we express statistical ideas lead to inaccuracy. Statistical tests do not answer exactly the questions that research scientists want to answer they only answer related questions. They cannot tell us if there is a real difference but they give us a basis for making reasonable decisions about whether there is a difference. Handling the results of t-tests: the hypothesis-testing approach.