Chapter Introduction

3

1

Introduction to Statistics

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

  • Determine if a study is correlational, experimental, or quasi-experimental.

  • Classify variables and determine level of measurement.

  • Learn the language and rules of statistics.

CHAPTER OVERVIEW

This first chapter is an introduction to statistics. The topics covered—types of experiments, types of variables, levels of measurement, statistical notation, order of operations, and rounding—will play a role in every chapter of this book.

1.1 The Purpose of Statistics

1.2 Experiments and Variables

1.3 Levels of Measurement

1.4 The Language of Statistics

1.5 Statistical Notation and Rounding