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PSY1004 Session 05

Introduction to quantitative methods in psychology Week5

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10 views

PSY1004 Session 05

Introduction to quantitative methods in psychology Week5

Uploaded by

winnieleee6
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PSYC1004

Introduction to quantitative methods in


psychology

Session 5

1
Standard deviation (example)
Squared
Number Mean Deviation
deviations
1 3.20 -2.2 4.84
3 3.20 -0.2 0.04
2 3.20 -1.2 1.44
4 3.20 0.8 0.64
6 3.20 2.8 7.84
1 3.20 -2.2 4.84
1 3.20 -2.2 4.84
3 3.20 -0.2 0.04
7 3.20 3.8 14.44
4 3.20 0.8 0.64
39.6 (sum of squared deviations)

4.40 2.10
Sample variance and SD ( i.e., 39.6/9) (SQRT of 4.40)

2
z score
The z score of a raw score in a data set is the distance of the
data point from the mean in standard deviation units

(Caldwell)

The z score of a data point X Z score


Math (80 - 82) / 6 = -0.33
Verbal (75 - 75) / 3 = 0.00
Science (70 - 60) / 5 = 2.00
M = the mean of the dataset Logic (77 - 70) / 7 = 1.00
S = the SD of the dataset
3
z score
It can be used to locate a score in a distribution of data: It
informs whether
• the score is above or below the mean; and
• the score’s deviation from the mean is relatively large or
relatively small compared with the deviations of the rest of
the data.

Example:

• If a given z score is negative, the raw score being represented is (above/


below/ at) the population mean? below

• Which of the following z scores represents a raw score that is the most atypical
(i.e., farthest from the mean)?

(a) −3.10 (b) -0.82 (c) 0.47 (d) 2.20


4
Histogram
When scores are measured on a continuous variable, the
distribution of frequency (number of cases or units in each value
range) is commonly displayed by a histogram.
...

5
Population distribution
The distribution of a continuous variable in a large/infinite population
is typically represented graphically using a continuous line
(probability distribution curve). The histogram for a sample of data
from the population can be taken as an approximation of the curve.

(Source: Field)
6
Probability distribution
The probability that a continuous variable is between two specified
values is equal to the area under the distribution curve over that
interval.

Probability
or relative
frequency

Source: Howell 7
Normal distribution
• It is a family of theoretical probability distributions precisely generated
by a formula
• The distributions of many variables are taken/assumed as (or being
close to) normal distributions
• A normal distribution is symmetrical about its mean and extends to
infinity and negative infinity
• A bell-shaped probability distribution curve does not necessarily
represent a normal distribution.
probability

8
Normal distribution
The percentage of the area under a normal distribution curve is a function of z score.

(Source: Hatcher)

The approximate areas under the standard normal distribution


curve that lie between z = 0 and several whole-number z scores
9
Normal distribution
Example: The probability of a
standardized and normally distributed
variable being less than 0.5,
.6915 P (z < 0.5) = .6915

P( -ꝏ < z < .5)

10
Normal distribution
P (z < 0.84) = 0.8

• As the total area under a 0.8


normal distribution curve = 1, 0.2
P (z > 0.84) = 1 – 0.8 = 0.2
.84

• As a normal distribution curve


is symmetrical,
P (z < - 0.84) = 0.2
0.2

11
-.84
Example
What is the probability
that a standardized and
normally distributed
variable is between the A B
mean (z = 0) and 1.48?

1.48
From the standard normal distribution table,
probability (z < 1.48) = .9306; i.e., referring to the diagram, the
area of A + B = 0.9306
Area of A = 0.5 (since the normal distribution is symmetrical
about its mean)
The required probability = the area of B = 0.9306 – 0.5 = 0.4306
12
Normal distribution

P(z < .8) = .7881

P(z < -1) = . 1587

The probability of z being


between -1 and 0.8

= .7881 - .1587 =.6294

13
Example
The mean height of the people in a population is 175 cm
and the standard deviation (SD) of their height values is 10
cm. Assuming that height is normally distributed in the
population and an individual is randomly selected, what is
the probability of the selected individual’s height being
between 165 and 185 cm?

In terms of z scores, the range of 165 to 185 cm corresponds


to (165 – 175)/10 and (185 – 175)/10, i.e., z = -1 to 1. The
probability required, as obtained from the table, is
P (z < 1) – P (z <-1) ~ 68.3% (P stands for probability)

14

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