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Evaluating Research Findings definitions

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  • Descriptive Statistics
    Summarizes data using values that represent typical scores and the spread of responses within a dataset.
  • Mean
    Represents the average value in a dataset, calculated by dividing the sum of all values by the number of values.
  • Median
    Identifies the central value in an ordered dataset, unaffected by extreme scores or outliers.
  • Mode
    Indicates the most frequently occurring value in a dataset; some datasets may have none or multiple.
  • Outlier
    A value significantly higher or lower than others in a dataset, which can distort the mean.
  • Measures of Variability
    Quantifies how spread out or clustered data points are within a dataset.
  • Range
    Shows the difference between the highest and lowest values, reflecting overall data spread.
  • Standard Deviation
    Indicates the average distance of each data point from the mean, with higher values showing more spread.
  • Correlation
    Describes the direction and strength of a relationship between two variables, without implying causation.
  • Correlation Coefficient
    A numerical value, often Pearson’s r, quantifying the strength and direction of a relationship between variables.
  • Temporal Precedence
    Refers to knowing which variable occurred first, necessary for establishing causation.
  • Third-Variable Problem
    Occurs when an unmeasured factor explains the relationship between two variables in a correlation.
  • Inferential Statistics
    Assesses the likelihood that research findings are due to chance, supporting generalization to a population.
  • P-value
    Represents the probability that observed results happened by chance; values below 0.05 indicate significance.
  • Statistical Significance
    Indicates that research results are unlikely to have occurred by chance, typically when p < 0.05.