Reference no: EM131808342

Module 1 Descriptive Statistics and Distributions

In accordance with our focus for this first module, we are going to use our Discussion forum to do a bit of brainstorming and sharing of our insights and understandings of a few of the basics underlying statistics-as well as quantitative research methods.

1. What do we learn from the standard deviation statistic?

2. What is the difference between the SD and 95% CI?

3. As Normal distribution is a base assumption for most statistical tests, what should we do when distribution is VERY skewed (skewness divided by standard error > 3.3)? look into "transformations."
Sample VS Population: How do we attain that the sample will be a good representation of the population?

Module 2 The Research Method Cycle

How do the major constructs of the research cycle create a scientific, logical, and orderly flow between them?

If we omit ANY construct, will the "house still stand"?

Module 3 t test

When we report the outcome of a t test, we present the following:
- Group I - M, SD
- Group II - M, SD
- t statistic with its df
- p

2. Why do we need to report ALL four of the above to provide the WHOLE picture? Explain.

Explain each one's contribution to the WHOLE picture.

Module 4 ANOVA/ANCOVA

1. ANOVA-What is the reasoning for conducting post-hoc analyses?

2. ANOVA-When would you choose for your post hoc analyses the method by: Fisher's least significant difference (LSD), Sheffé's, or Bonferroni?

ANCOVA-the interpretation of ANCOVA outputs is not simple. What are we looking for in them to explain the effects of the IVs and Covariates on the DV?

Module 5- Chi Square

On examining the 2008 internal party election results in the great state of ABC, a Chi Square test for independence was conducted.
The two variables of choice were:

1. Candidate A (male) and Candidate B (male) , and

2. Voters' Gender: Females (n=2.6 million) / Males (n=2.5 million)

The Chi Square was very high and statistically significant, which means that for some reason there was a strong gender preference for one of the candidates.

This is the important part:

3. If you were to be a hopeful 2012 candidate for your party, what could you LEARN and SAY about the 2008 voting results in State ABC?
What could you not learn from it?