Research Design and Statistics Concepts Worksheet

Research Design and Statistics Concepts Worksheet

Senthil Kumar

University of Phoenix

Research Design and Statistics Concepts Worksheet

Concept Application of Concept in Scenario Reference to Concept in Reading

Levels of Measurement: There are four different levels of measurements:

1. Nominal

2. Ordinal

3. Ordinal.

4. Interval.

5. Ratio.

These different levels of measurement useful in business.

New board member and statistician Bea Hansen pointed out that the data collected from the focus groups and online surveys must be sorted and arranged in an appropriate manner(Scenario: USA World Bank). Nominal has no distinguishable advantage from one to another. Ordinal can be ranked but the distances between the rankings vary. Interval means there is a constant standard of measurement but zero has no true meaning. Ratio has a constant standard and zero is an absolute that means the complete absence of something. “There are actually four levels of measurement: nominal, ordinal, interval, and ration. The lowest, or the most primitive, measurement is the nominal level. The highest, or the level that gives us the most information about the observation, is the ratio level of measurement.” (Lind, Marchal, & Wathen, 2003,page 10)

Sampling Error:

The difference between a sample statistic and its corresponding parameter is a sampling error.

As per Bea Hansen the survey provide by Brian Allen, was complete useless because despite the sample size, not random and is not a true representation of population. Bea pointed out the valid random selection process as there were more men responding to the survey and results were distorted. (Scenario: USA World Bank.) “Each sample may have a different sample mean and a different sampling error. The value of the sampling error is based on the random selection of a sample. Therefore, sampling errors are random and occur by chance.” (Lind, Marchal, & Wathen, 2003,page 259)

Concepts of validity, reliability, and practicality.

In a discussion of USA World Bank new products for small business owners, Aaron told Jim that he will lose 40% of his customers if the small business card does not get launched. Jim questioned on what basis Aaron did come out with that numbers and Aaron states, this percentage on his discussions with his customers. Beth also added that she will lose 30%. Jim identifies that it appears good that everyone is hearing similar things, but there must be a data to back their feelings up. Jim is correct in identifying research must be valid and reliable before business decision are made, and it is practicality possible, that customer move out if the product were not offered soon. (Scenario: USA World Bank.) “Validity refers to the extent to which a test measures what we actually wish to measure.”

“Reliability has to do with accuracy and precision of a measurement procedure.”

“Practicality is concerned with a wide range of factors of economy, convenience, interpretability.” (Cooper, & Schindler, 2003,page 231)

Methods of research:

1. Focus Groups

2. Random Sample

In an attempt to identify a new product to bring to the market, USA World bank has made use of two different methods of conducting research. Jim Wilson, VP of marketing, used focus groups of 40 small business owners to identify their needs and spending habits. Mary Monroe, VP of new product development, used