Download level of measurment and statistics intro

Statistics 
Data measurement, probability
and statistical tests
Learning Aims
By the end of this
session you are going to
totally ‘get’ levels of
significance and why we
do statistical tests!
Levels of measurement
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There are 4 levels of
data
You need to know
which level of data
you are dealing with
in order to select
the right statistical
test
Nominal Level
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The data can be
counted into
categories, e.g.
there are 4 men and
4 women in the room
There were 8 brown
horses and 1 white
one!
Ordinal Level
Results are put in
order, they are
ranked. E.g. we could
rank the place that
each horse came in a
race
The other 2 levels
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Interval Data is defined as
being a specific measure, this
can be measured on an
instrument, there are equal
intervals between each piece
of data. E.g. We can record
the exact temperature using
a thermometer. (can be minus)
Ratio: This is like
interval data except the
scale has a meaningful
value of zero. E.g. time
and length (no minus).
Why do we need to conduct
statistical tests?
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Statistical tests tell
us the significance
of a set of findingsdid the IV really
effect the DV or
were the findings
just a fluke?
The more significant
a finding is the more
effect the IV had on
the DV
Probability:

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We need to use inferential statistics to tell us if the
result that we have found is due to chance or not.
The minimum accepted level of probability commonly
used in psychology is 5%, this is represented as 0.05
If the level of significance achieved is equal to or
less 0.05 than the results are said to be significant
i.e. not just a fluke.
This would mean that we are 95% sure that the IV
caused the change in the DV
However there is still a 5% chance it didn’t!
Probability:
As a percentage 20% as a proportion: a 1 in 5 chance.
But more commonly expressed as a decimal in psychology: 0.2.
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In psychology: 10%=0.10, 5%=0.05, 1%=0.01 and
0.1%=0.001
To go from % to decimal divide by 100, move decimal
place 2 spaces to the left.
Remember the more stringent (lower) the level of
significance you set the more significant the results are
1% is more significant than 5%
Observed value:
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Every time you perform a statistical test you
get an OBSERVED VALUE.
This observed value is also known as the
calculated value because it is the one you
calculated.
You then have to compare this observed value
to a table of CRITICAL VALUES to see of
your results are significant or not.
To be significant the observed value should
be greater or less than the critical value
depending on the type of test
Note that there will be a different table of
values for different statistical tests.
Interpreting results:
 Usually
in psychology if the results
are significant it means that the
probability of the result being due
to chance is 5% or less

P<0.05 means the results are
significant- so we would accept the
experimental hypothesis and reject the
null hypothesis
Interpreting results:

P is used to represent “the probability that is
due to chance”
 > =means greater than
 < =means less than
 ≥ means greater than or equal to.
 ≤ means less than or equal to.
SO………………
P<0.05 means that the probability that the
result is due to chance is less than 5%.
Type 1 and type 2 errors:
The 5% level of significance has been
accepted as it represents a reasonable
balance between the chances of making
a type 1 or type 2 error
 These can occur because:
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Level of probability accepted is either too
lenient (too high) or too stringent (too low)
Type 1 and type 2 errors
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Type 1 error:
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Occurs when we
conclude that there
IS a significant
difference when
there is NOT
This can happen if
the accepted level of
probability is set
TOO LENIENT
Significance level set
at 20%
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Type 2 error:
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Occurs when we
reject the
experimental
hypothesis and
accept the null when
there IS a
difference
This can happen if
the probability level
is TOO STRINGENT
Significance level set
at 1%
Deciding on a statistical test

You must decide the following:
Are you trying to find out if your samples
are related (correlate) or different?
 What design you have used- related, non
related, matched pairs
 What level of measurement you have used.
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You can use the following table to help
decide:
What test to use?
Design
Nominal
Ordinal,
interval, ratio
Correlation/
association
Chi-square
test of
association
Chi-squared
test of
independent
samples
Sign Test
r
Independent
measures
Repeated
Measures
u
t
Test your understanding!

Using your newly found knowledge identify the test
that would be suitable for the following:
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An experiment with nominal data and an
independent groups design
Ordinal data on both measures in a study to see if
two measures are associated
An experiment with and independent groups design
in which the DV is measured on a ratio scale
A study using a correlational technique in which
one measure is ordinal and the other is ratio.
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A study testing an association using a nominal level
of measurement
An experiment in which all participants were
tested with alcohol and without alcohol on a
memory test
An experiment in which reaction time was tested
using an independent subject design
•
•
•
An experiment with nominal data and an
independent groups design = chi-squared test
Ordinal data on both measures in a study to see if
two measures are associated = Spearman’s rank
correlation
An experiment with and independent groups design
in which the DV is measured on a ratio scale =
Mann-Whitney U test
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A study using a correlation technique in which one
measure is ordinal and the other is ratio =–
Spearman’s rank
A study testing an association using a nominal level
of measurement = Chi-Square test of association
An experiment in which all participants were
tested with alcohol and without alcohol on a
memory test = Wilcoxon’s T test
An experiment in which reaction time was tested
using an independent subject design = MannWhitney U test
Test your understanding

Answer the questions on the handout