PSCI 210 Concepts and Terminology
Test Questions with Correct Answers
Multivariate Analysis - Answer-analysis with multiple explanatory variables
Probabilistic - Answer-changes to the independent variable change the probability of the
dependent variable
Deterministic - Answer-if the independent variable takes on a certain value, the
dependent variable will take on a value with certainty
Unit - Answer-individual 'noun' for which each variable is measured
Observation - Answer-individual measurement taken within a unit
Variable - Answer-concept, factor, or outcome that we are interested in examining
Ordinal Variable - Answer-variable with ordered categories
Nominal Variable - Answer-variable with categories that do not have an intrinsic order
Dichotomous Variable - Answer-variable with two categories
Interval Variable - Answer-variable with meaningful distance between values
Ratio Variable - Answer-interval variable with a defined 0
Antecedent variables - Answer-variables that occur before the independent and
dependent variables
Intervening variables - Answer-secondary variables that impact the relationship between
IV and DV
Independent Variable - Answer-measurement thought to impact another variable
Dependent Variable - Answer-phenomenon thought to be caused by the independent
variable
Unit of Analysis - Answer-object of study in research
Systematic effects - Answer-structural bias, generalizations, population trends
Test Questions with Correct Answers
Multivariate Analysis - Answer-analysis with multiple explanatory variables
Probabilistic - Answer-changes to the independent variable change the probability of the
dependent variable
Deterministic - Answer-if the independent variable takes on a certain value, the
dependent variable will take on a value with certainty
Unit - Answer-individual 'noun' for which each variable is measured
Observation - Answer-individual measurement taken within a unit
Variable - Answer-concept, factor, or outcome that we are interested in examining
Ordinal Variable - Answer-variable with ordered categories
Nominal Variable - Answer-variable with categories that do not have an intrinsic order
Dichotomous Variable - Answer-variable with two categories
Interval Variable - Answer-variable with meaningful distance between values
Ratio Variable - Answer-interval variable with a defined 0
Antecedent variables - Answer-variables that occur before the independent and
dependent variables
Intervening variables - Answer-secondary variables that impact the relationship between
IV and DV
Independent Variable - Answer-measurement thought to impact another variable
Dependent Variable - Answer-phenomenon thought to be caused by the independent
variable
Unit of Analysis - Answer-object of study in research
Systematic effects - Answer-structural bias, generalizations, population trends
