It is clear from the material in this course that inferential statistics plays a critical role in research in the behavioral and social sciences. Since students in this class will further their education via coursework and research conducted via the practicum and dissertation processes, it is important to reflect on the knowledge gained and its applicability to ones future in the field. Utilizing all that you have learned and been exposed to in this course, write a paper providing an overview of your knowledge of inferential statistics, specifically discussing how you would go about deciding upon the appropriate statistical tests to use for a study.
Paper should be a minimum of 1320-1650 words long (excluding title and references pages) and include a title page, introduction, conclusion, and references page. APA formatting should be used for the paper. Utilize at least two resources for this paper, which should be cited accordingly.
Include the following in your paper:
1. Create and present a decision tree, outline, or other model that includes a series of questions to help someone decide what statistical test is appropriate for a study. Consider the number, type, and scale of measurement of the variables, as well as what you may want to know about the variables (e.g., relationship, difference, etc.). This may be presented as a chart, table, mindmap, or other visual representation, or simply formatted as an outline.
2. Explain the steps involved in the model and how you created this model for making statistical decisions. What were the easiest and most difficult parts of this process?
3. Describe two different studies of interest to you. (Note: Neither study should be one focused on in any of the assignments during the course.) Include the following in the description:
Research Question List the research question for each study.
Hypotheses List the statistical notation and written explanations for the null and alternative hypotheses for each study.
Variables Identify the variables and each of their attributes: discrete or continuous, quantitative or categorical, scale of measurement (nominal, ordinal, interval, or ratio), and independent or dependent.
4. Demonstrate how you would utilize the statistical decisions model you created to choose the appropriate, specific test(s) for each study. What is your conclusion using this model? Did the model lead you to the correct test(s)? If not, how do you know and what changes might need to be made to the model?
Why might a statistical decisions model be useful in statistics and research methods? What are its limitations?
What did you learn or gain from creating this model and applying it to the study of interest? How might you use this model in the future?
