๐ Topic Summary
Basic probability and statistical inference are fundamental concepts in AP Psychology. Probability deals with the likelihood of an event occurring, often expressed as a number between 0 and 1. Statistical inference involves drawing conclusions about a population based on data from a sample. This includes hypothesis testing, where we determine if the results of a study are statistically significant, meaning they are unlikely to have occurred by chance. Understanding these concepts is crucial for interpreting research findings and designing your own experiments.
๐ง Part A: Vocabulary
Match the term with its definition:
- Term: Null Hypothesis
- Term: P-value
- Term: Standard Deviation
- Term: Statistical Significance
- Term: Inferential Statistics
- Definition: The extent to which scores deviate from the mean.
- Definition: The hypothesis that there is no significant difference between specified populations.
- Definition: Using sample data to make inferences about a larger population.
- Definition: A statistical measure indicating the probability that the results obtained in a study occurred by chance alone.
- Definition: Indicates the likelihood that a result will occur by chance; usually set at p โค 0.05 in psychology.
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๐ Part B: Fill in the Blanks
Researchers use ________________ statistics to determine if their results are likely due to chance or reflect a real effect. A small ___________ suggests that the results are statistically significant. This means that we can ______________ the null hypothesis and conclude that there is a meaningful relationship between the variables being studied. However, it's important to remember that statistical significance does not necessarily imply _______________ significance.
Word Bank: Reject, P-value, Practical, Inferential
๐ค Part C: Critical Thinking
Explain how a large sample size can impact the statistical significance of a study's results. What are the benefits and potential drawbacks of using very large samples in psychological research?