Statistical Analysis and Interpretation Flashcards
7 cards from real RA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Statistical Analysis and Interpretation flashcards as text
A chi-square test of independence is most appropriate when a researcher wants to:
Answer: Examine the relationship between two categorical variables
The chi-square test of independence assesses whether two categorical (nominal or ordinal) variables are statistically associated or independent of each other.
What is the primary purpose of a one-way ANOVA?
Answer: To compare means across three or more independent groups simultaneously
ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) tests whether there are statistically significant differences among the means of three or more independent groups without inflating the Type I error rate.
A Pearson correlation coefficient of -0.85 between two variables indicates:
Answer: A strong negative linear relationship
A Pearson r close to -1 indicates a strong negative linear relationship, meaning as one variable increases, the other tends to decrease proportionally.
What is the key difference between parametric and non-parametric statistical tests?
Answer: Parametric tests assume the data meets certain distribution assumptions; non-parametric tests do not
Parametric tests assume the underlying population follows a specific distribution (typically normal), while non-parametric tests make fewer assumptions and are suitable when data violates these assumptions.
In research, statistical power refers to:
Answer: The probability of correctly detecting a true effect when one exists
Statistical power (1 - β) is the probability that a test will correctly reject a false null hypothesis, meaning it will detect a true effect when it actually exists.
In a research study, the null hypothesis typically states that:
Answer: There is no effect, difference, or relationship between variables
The null hypothesis (H₀) is the default assumption of no effect, no difference, or no relationship, which the researcher attempts to disprove with evidence.
When should a paired (dependent) samples t-test be used instead of an independent samples t-test?
Answer: When the same participants are measured twice or are matched across conditions
A paired t-test is used when two sets of measurements come from the same participants (e.g., pre- and post-test) or from matched pairs, because the measurements within each pair are related.