CMN3102 Quantitative Methods Final Exam
With Complete Solution
Theory - ANSWER A proposed explanation for how a set of natural
phenomena will occur, capable of making predictions about the phenomena
for the future, and capable of being falsified through empirical observation
Explanation - ANSWER an attempt to satisfy one's curiosity about an
observable event
Ways to explain something - ANSWER - Appealing to authority
- Label the phenomenon
- Evoke empathy
- Define terms or give examples
- Appeal to general empirical rules (the best) -> the only way to explain the
past and present in a manner that can help us predict the future
Empiricism - ANSWER the belief that science is only acceptable insofar as the
phenomenon can be observed
Hypothesis - ANSWER the conclusion that occurs at the end of a series of
propositions
Proposition - ANSWER a statement that either confirms or denies something
Two components of a hypothetical proposition - ANSWER - An antecedent
statement (if)
- A consequent statement (then)
,ex: If I was born in Canada (antecedent), then I am Canadian (consequent).
Argument - ANSWER a set of propositions in which one follows logically as a
conclusion from the others
Empirical generalisation - ANSWER the attempt to describe a phenomenon
based on what we know about it at this time
Ecologic fallacy - ANSWER making generalisations about an individual
because they belong to a specific group
Exception fallacy - ANSWER making generalisations about a specific group
because of an individual
Descriptive statistics - ANSWER - used to describe an observed phenomenon
- used to organize and summarize information or data (any record or
observation)
Inferential statistics - ANSWER - used to make predictions based on our
observations
- allow researchers to make inferences about some unknown aspect of a
population from a sample
- stem from a research question or a hypothesis
Alternative hypothesis - ANSWER the prediction that there is a relationship
that has not occurred by chance or random error
,Null hypothesis - ANSWER states that there is no relationship between
variables
- assumed to be true until there is sufficient evidence that supports the
contrary
- easier to probe something is false
- more general base to make predictions
Hypothesis testing - ANSWER the process a researcher goes through using
inferential statistics to determine whether we reject or accept the null
hypothesis
Variable - ANSWER an entity that can take on a variety of different values
Concrete variables - ANSWER stable and consistent, ex: biological sex, birth
order, birthday
Abstract variables - ANSWER change or differ over time or across situations
or contexts, ex: age, communication satisfaction, honesty
4 types of unit analysis - ANSWER - Individuals: focus on an individual's
temperament, personality, or communication traits
- Dyads: collecting information about two people involved in an
, interpersonal relationship
- Groups: the interaction of people when placed together in a group to
accomplish a goal
- Organisations: the ways in which organizational members interact with one
another
Variable attributes - ANSWER refer to the specific categories of a variable, ex:
biological sex: male/female
Variable values - ANSWER the numerical designation assigned to each
variable to allow for statistical analysis, ex: biological sex: male = 1, female =
2
Relationship - ANSWER refers to the correspondence or connection between
two variables
Positive relationship - ANSWER exists when an increase in one variable is
associated with an increase in the other variable (or vice versa)
Negative relationship - ANSWER exists when an increase in one variable is
associated with a decrease in the other variable (or vice versa)
With Complete Solution
Theory - ANSWER A proposed explanation for how a set of natural
phenomena will occur, capable of making predictions about the phenomena
for the future, and capable of being falsified through empirical observation
Explanation - ANSWER an attempt to satisfy one's curiosity about an
observable event
Ways to explain something - ANSWER - Appealing to authority
- Label the phenomenon
- Evoke empathy
- Define terms or give examples
- Appeal to general empirical rules (the best) -> the only way to explain the
past and present in a manner that can help us predict the future
Empiricism - ANSWER the belief that science is only acceptable insofar as the
phenomenon can be observed
Hypothesis - ANSWER the conclusion that occurs at the end of a series of
propositions
Proposition - ANSWER a statement that either confirms or denies something
Two components of a hypothetical proposition - ANSWER - An antecedent
statement (if)
- A consequent statement (then)
,ex: If I was born in Canada (antecedent), then I am Canadian (consequent).
Argument - ANSWER a set of propositions in which one follows logically as a
conclusion from the others
Empirical generalisation - ANSWER the attempt to describe a phenomenon
based on what we know about it at this time
Ecologic fallacy - ANSWER making generalisations about an individual
because they belong to a specific group
Exception fallacy - ANSWER making generalisations about a specific group
because of an individual
Descriptive statistics - ANSWER - used to describe an observed phenomenon
- used to organize and summarize information or data (any record or
observation)
Inferential statistics - ANSWER - used to make predictions based on our
observations
- allow researchers to make inferences about some unknown aspect of a
population from a sample
- stem from a research question or a hypothesis
Alternative hypothesis - ANSWER the prediction that there is a relationship
that has not occurred by chance or random error
,Null hypothesis - ANSWER states that there is no relationship between
variables
- assumed to be true until there is sufficient evidence that supports the
contrary
- easier to probe something is false
- more general base to make predictions
Hypothesis testing - ANSWER the process a researcher goes through using
inferential statistics to determine whether we reject or accept the null
hypothesis
Variable - ANSWER an entity that can take on a variety of different values
Concrete variables - ANSWER stable and consistent, ex: biological sex, birth
order, birthday
Abstract variables - ANSWER change or differ over time or across situations
or contexts, ex: age, communication satisfaction, honesty
4 types of unit analysis - ANSWER - Individuals: focus on an individual's
temperament, personality, or communication traits
- Dyads: collecting information about two people involved in an
, interpersonal relationship
- Groups: the interaction of people when placed together in a group to
accomplish a goal
- Organisations: the ways in which organizational members interact with one
another
Variable attributes - ANSWER refer to the specific categories of a variable, ex:
biological sex: male/female
Variable values - ANSWER the numerical designation assigned to each
variable to allow for statistical analysis, ex: biological sex: male = 1, female =
2
Relationship - ANSWER refers to the correspondence or connection between
two variables
Positive relationship - ANSWER exists when an increase in one variable is
associated with an increase in the other variable (or vice versa)
Negative relationship - ANSWER exists when an increase in one variable is
associated with a decrease in the other variable (or vice versa)
