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AP Statistics - Vocab Flashcards

Sampling and Surveys

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9348522062BiasThis occurs when the design of a statistical study consistently underestimates or consistently overestimates the value you want to know.0
9348522063CensusA study that attempts to collect data from every individual in the population.1
9348522064Cluster sampleFirst divide the population into smaller groups. Ideally, these groups should mirror the characteristics of the population. Then choose an SRS of the groups. All individuals in the chosen groups are included in the sample.2
9348522065Convenience sampleA sample selected by taking the members of the population that are easiest to reach; particularly prone to large bias.3
9348522066Double-blindAn experiment in which neither the subjects nor those who interact with them and measure the response variable know which treatment a subject received.4
9348522067Margin of errorA numerical estimate of how far the sample result is likely to be from the truth about the population due to sampling variability.5
9348522068NonresponseOccurs when a selected individual cannot be contacted or refuses to cooperate.6
9348522070PopulationThe entire group of individuals about which we want information.7
9348522071Random samplingThe use of chance to select a sample; is the central principle of statistical sampling.8
9348522072Response biasIn survey sampling, this refers to the bias that results from problems in the measurement process.9
9348522073SampleThe part of the population from which we actually collect information. We use information from this group to draw conclusions about the entire population.10
9348522074Sample surveyA study that uses an organized plan to choose a sample that represents some specific population. We base conclusions about the population on data from the sample. You must first say exactly what population you want to describe and second say exactly what you want to measure.11
9348522075Sampling frameThe list, i.e. the subset of the population from which a sample is actually chosen.12
9348522076Simple random sample (SRS)A random sampling method. The method gives every possible sample of a given size the same chance to be chosen.13
9348522077StrataGroups of individuals in a population that are similar in some way that might affect their responses.14
9348522078Stratified random sampleTo select this sample, first classify the population into groups of similar individuals. Then choose a separate simple random sample from each group to form the full sample.15
9348522079Table of random digitsA long string of the digits 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 with these properties: • Each entry in the table is equally likely to be any of the 10 digits 0 through 9. • The entries are independent of each other. That is, knowledge of one part of the table gives no information about any other part.16
9348522080UndercoverageOccurs when some members of the population are left out of the sampling frame; a type of sampling error.17
9348522081Voluntary response samplesPeople decide whether to join a sample based on an open invitation; particularly prone to large bias.18
9348522083BlockA group of experimental units that are known before the experiment to be similar in some way that is expected to affect the response to the treatments.19
9348522084Completely randomized designWhen the treatments are assigned to all the experimental units completely by chance.20
9348522085ConfoundingWhen two variables are associated in such a way that their effects on a response variable cannot be distinguished from each other.21
9348522086Control groupAn experimental group whose primary purpose is to provide a baseline for comparing the effects of the other treatments. Depending on the purpose of the experiment, this group may be given a placebo or an active treatment.22
9348522087Double-blindAn experiment in which neither the subjects nor those who interact with them and measure the response variable know which treatment a subject received.23
9348522088ExperimentDeliberately imposes some treatment on individuals to measure their responses.24
9348522089Experimental unitsThe smallest collection of individuals to which treatments are applied.25
9348522090Explanatory variableA variable that helps explain or influences changes in a response variable. Also called factors.26
9348522091LevelA specific value of an explanatory variable or factor in an experiment. For example, if we were studying effects of advertising an explanatory variable might be lengths of commercials and we could have commercials of varying lengths. Thirty, Forty-five and Sixty minute commercials would make three values of that one explanatory variable.27
9348522092Matched pairA common form of blocking for comparing just two treatments. In some such designs, each subject receives both treatments in a random order. In others, the subjects are paired with another as closely as possible, and each subject in a pair is randomly assigned to receive one of the treatments.28
9348522093Observational studyObserves individuals and measures variables of interest but does not attempt to influence the responses.29
9348522094PlaceboAn inactive (fake) treatment.30
9348522095Placebo effectDescribes the fact that some subjects respond favorably to any treatment, even an inactive one (placebo).31
9348522096Random assignmentAn important experimental design principle. Use some chance process to assign experimental units to treatments. This helps create roughly equivalent groups of experimental units at the start of the experiment.32
9348522097Randomized block designStart by forming groups consisting of individuals that are similar in some way that is important to the response. Random assignment of treatments is then carried out separately within each group.33
9348522098ReplicationAn important experimental design principle. Use enough experimental units in each group so that any differences in the effects of the treatments can be distinguished from chance differences between the groups.34
9348522099Response variableA variable that measures an outcome of a study.35
9348522100Single-blindAn experiment in which either the subjects or those who interact with them and measure the response variable, but not both, know which treatment a subject received.36
9348522101Statistically significantAn observed effect so large that it would rarely occur by chance.37
9348522102SubjectsExperimental units that are human beings.38
9348522103TreatmentA specific condition applied to the individuals in an experiment. If an experiment has several explanatory variables, a this would be a combination of specific values of these variables.39
9348522104Inference about cause and effectUsing the results of an experiment to conclude that the treatments caused the difference in responses. Requires a well-designed experiment in which the treatments are randomly assigned to the experimental units.40
9348522105Inference about the populationUsing information from a sample to draw conclusions about the larger population. Requires that the individuals taking part in a study be randomly selected from the population of interest.41
9348522106Lack of realismWhen the treatments, the subjects, or the environment of an experiment are not realistic. This can limit researchers' ability to apply the conclusions of an experiment to the settings of greatest interest.42
9348522107Basic Principle for Designing Experiments1. Comparison - Use a design that compares two or more treatments. 2. Random Assignment - Use chance to assign experimental units. Create roughly equivalent groups of experimental units at the start of the experiment to balance the effects of other variables among the treatment groups. 3. Control - Keep other variables that might affect the response the same for all groups. (This is not the same as control group.) 4. Replication - Use enough experimental units in each group so the differences can be distinguished from chance.43
9348522108Criteria for establishing causation when we can't do an experiment.1. The association is strong. 2. The association is consistent. 3. Larger values of the explanatory variable are associated with stronger responses. 4. The alleged cause precedes the effect in time. 5. The alleged cause is plausible.44
9348522109Scope of Inference1. Inferences about populations are possible when individuals are randomly selected. 2. Inferences about cause and effect are possible when individuals are randomly assigned to groups.45

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