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Flashcards in Week 1 Deck (13)
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1
Q

Variable

A

Variable: Observable characteristics that have more than one value
 Examples of variables and their values: Budget: dollars / age: years / work effort: overtime in hours

2
Q

Theory

A

Theory: Tentative causal explanations behind the relationships of variables.

3
Q

Hypothesis

A

Hypothesis: Theory-based statement that specifies the relationship between two variables in a empirically testable way.

4
Q

Positive Relationship

A

Higher … causes higher … (positive relationship)

5
Q

Negative Relationship

A

Higher … causes lower … (negative relationship)

6
Q

Covariation

A

Covariation: a change in one variable corresponds with a

change in another (hence: co-vary)

7
Q

Causation

A

Causation: logical, plausible connection between variables
 Example: In areas with greater populations of storks, we can count more babies per family. Does this mean storks cause babies?

8
Q

Time series

A

Time series
 Variation across time
 Example: explaining variation in employees’ work motivation over a period of 10 years

9
Q

cross-sectional

A

Cross-sectional
 Variation among units
 Example: explaining variation in work motivation among employees at a certain point in time

10
Q

Four Causal Hurdles 1&2

A

Building Theory

  1. Is there a credible causal mechanism that connects X to Y?
  2. Could Y cause X?
11
Q

Four Causal Hurdles 3&4

A

Testing Theory

  1. Is there covariation between X and Y?
  2. Is there some confounding variable Z that could affect Y or even be related to both X and Y.
12
Q

Scientific Process

A
  1. Causal Theory 2. Hypothesis 3. Empirical Test 4. Evaluation of Hypothesis 5. Evaluation of Causal theory 6. Scientific Knowledge
13
Q

statistical significance

A

refers to the probability of being wrong about65 stating that a relationship exist s when in fact it doesn’t.