心理统计英文课件：L1 Introduction to Statistics.ppt

Chapter 1: Introduction to Statistics Variables A variable is a characteristic or condition that can change or take on different values. Most research begins with a general question about the relationship between two variables for a specific group of individuals. Population The entire group of individuals is called the population. For example, a researcher may be interested in the relation between class size (variable 1) and academic performance (variable 2) for the population of third-grade children. Sample Usually populations are so large that a researcher cannot examine the entire group. Therefore, a sample is selected to represent the population in a research study. The goal is to use the results obtained from the sample to help answer questions about the population. Types of Variables Variables can be classified as discrete or continuous. Discrete variables (such as class size) consist of indivisible categories, and continuous variables (such as time or weight) are infinitely divisible into whatever units a researcher may choose. For example, time can be measured to the nearest minute, second, half-second, etc. Real Limits To define the units for a continuous variable, a researcher must use real limits which are boundaries located exactly half-way between adjacent categories. Measuring Variables To establish relationships between variables, researchers must observe the variables and record their observations. This requires that the variables be measured. The process of measuring a variable requires a set of categories called a scale of measurement and a process that classifies each individual into one category. 4 Types of Measurement Scales A nominal scale is an unordered set of categories identified only by name. Nominal measurements only permit you to determine whether two individuals are the same or different. An ordinal scale is an ordered set of categories. Ordinal measurements tell you the direction of difference between two indivi