Psych Vocab #3

Front

Descriptive statistics

Back

Numerical data used to measure and describe characteristics of groups. Includes measures of central tendency (the mean, median, mode) and measures of variation (range and standard deviation).

Front

Mode

Back

The most frequently occurring data point in a distribution.

Front

Mean

Back

The mathematical average of a set of numbers. Add the scores and divide by the number (N) of scores.

Front

Median

Back

The middle score in a distribution. Arrange scores from highest to lowest with half of the data above and half below this number.

Front

Percentile rank

Back

The percentage of scores that are lower than a given score. For example, being in the 79th percentile means your score is higher than 79 percent of your peers.

Front

Range

Back

The difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution.

Front

Standard deviation

Back

A computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean score. Indicates whether scores are packed together (similar) or dispersed (varied).

Front

Normal curve

Back

A symmetrical, bell-shaped curve that describes the distribution of many types of data; most scores fall near the mean and fewer near the extremes.

Front

Skewed distribution

Back

A non-symmetrical probability distribution with a long tail on one side. Positively skewed has a tail on the right; negatively skewed has a tail on the left.

Front

Inferential statistics

Back

When researchers make predictions about their data and the independent variables. Used to test a hypothesis and provide insight into study results.