PSYC 2510 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Categorical Variable, Standard Deviation, Frequency Distribution
3 Dec 2012
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Statistics are just another way to quantify (assign numbers to) properties of objects or events of interest. The use of numbers increase precision of communication/description. Statistical methods are used to go beyond the numbers. Population-- all members of a group who are alike on at least one specific characteristic. Sample-- any number of cases less than the total number of cases in the population from which it is drawn. Info about samples is used to make inferences about the characteristics of the larger population as a whole. Samples must be representative of the population in order to draw meaningful and accurate inferences. Samples from different populations can be compared in a study (e. g. , autistic children vs. normally developing children) Random sample-- each member of the pool has an equal probability of being selected on any given draw and each possible sample of members has an equal probability of being selected.
