Deck 1: Introduction to Multivariate Statistics

Question 1

The use of multivariate statistical techniques has become more commonplace largely due to the increasingly complex nature of research designs and related research questions.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

A study appropriate for multivariate statistical analysis is typically defined as one with several dependent variables (DVs).

Answer 2

True

Question 3

The basic distinction between experimental and nonexperimental research designs is whether the levels of the independent variable(s) have been manipulated by the researcher.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

In nonexperimental research (e.g., descriptive, correlational, survey, or causal-comparative designs), the researcher has no control over the levels of the independent variables (IVs).

Question 5

In an experimental research study, if the researcher finds a statistically significant difference between two or more of the groups representing different treatment conditions, she or he can have some confidence in attributing causality to the IV.

Question 6

Nonexperimental research studies also enable a researcher to conclude that the IV and DV are related and infer causality.

Question 7

In experimental studies, IVs may also be referred to as criterion or outcome variables.

Question 8

In experimental studies, DVs are sometimes referred to as the predictor or causal variables.

Question 9

Univariate statistics refers to analyses where there is only one IV and one DV.

Question 10

Bivariate statistics refers to analyses that involve two variables where one is identified as an IV and the other is identified as a DV.

Question 11

Quantitative variables are also referred to as continuous or interval variables.

Question 12

Categorical variables consist of separate, indivisible categories.

Question 13

Categorical variables may also be referred to as nominal, ordinal, discrete, or qualitative.

Question 14

A dichotomous variable is one that has only two possible levels or categories.

Question 15

Age is a quantitative variable, but one could recode the values so that it would be transformed into a dichotomous variable.

Question 16

When conducting a multivariate analysis, the best recommendation is to obtain the solution with the largest number of variables.

Question 17

The mathematical calculations involved in multivariate statistical analyses are performed only on a correlation matrix.

Question 18

Orthogonality is perfect association between variables.

Question 19

Orthogonality is not a desirable quality for multivariate statistical analyses.

Question 20

Having a data set with orthogonal variables is not the ideal situation.

Question 21

When variables are correlated, they have overlapping, or shared, variance.

Question 22

Using a standard analysis approach, the overlapping portion of variance is included in the overall summary statistics of the relationship of the set of IVS to the DV, but that portion is not assigned to either of the IVs as part of their individual contribution.

Question 23

The sequential analysis requires the researcher to prioritize the entry of IVs into the equation or solution.

Question 24

One of the major difficulties in using multivariate statistical analyses is that it is sometimes nearly impossible to get a firm statistical answer to your research questions.

Question 25

The first step in nearly any data analysis situation is to describe or summarize the data collected on a set of participants that constitute the sample of interest.

Question 26

Measures of central tendency include:

A) Mean, median, and mode.
B) Only mean and median.
C) Range.
D) Quartile deviation.

Question 27

Measures of variability include:

A) Range, quartile deviation, and standard deviation.
B) Only standard deviation and variance.
C) Range, standard deviation, and mean.
D) Standard deviation, mean, and variance.

Question 28

The two most common measures of relative position are:

A) Mean and standard deviation.
B) Percentile ranks and standard scores.
C) z-scores and T-scores.
D) Spearman rho and Pearson r.

Question 29

Two most commonly used measures of relationship are:

A) Chi-square and T-test.
B) Spearman rho and Pearson r.
C) Mean and standard deviation.
D) Range and percentile ranks.

Question 30

Inferential statistics deal with collecting and analyzing information from samples in order to:

A) Draw conclusions, or inferences, about the larger population.
B) Prove that the sample is a perfect replica of the larger population.
C) Prove that the null hypothesis is incorrect.
D) Predict that the only differences that exist are chance differences that do not represent random sampling error.