In: Statistics and Probability
For the following, identify the independent variable and the dependent variable and explain why we should use a parametric or nonparametric procedure. (a) When ranking the intelligence of a group of people given a smart pill. (b) When compar- ing the median income for a group of college professors to that of the national population of all incomes. (c) When comparing the mean reading speed for a sam- ple of hearing-impaired children to the average reading speed in the population of hearing children. (d) When measuring interval scores from a personality test given to a group of emotionally troubled people and comparing them to the population ?? for emotionally healthy people.
As a general rule of thumb, when the dependent variable’s level of measurement is nominal (categorical) or ordinal, then a non-parametric test should be selected. When the dependent variable is measured on a continuous scale, then a parametric test should typically be selected.
a) When ranking the intelligence of a group of people given a smart pill.
Independent variable - Smart pill given or not.
Dependent variable - Rank of intelligence
As, the dependent variable is an ordinal variable, nonparametric procedure should be used.
(b) When comparing the median income for a group of college professors to that of the national population of all incomes.
Independent variable - college professors or not.
Dependent variable - median income
As, the dependent variable (median income) is an ordinal variable, nonparametric procedure should be used.
(c) When comparing the mean reading speed for a sample of hearing-impaired children to the average reading speed in the population of hearing children.
Independent variable - hearing-impaired children or not.
Dependent variable - mean reading speed
As, the dependent variable (mean reading speed) is a continuous variable, parametric procedure should be used.
(d) When measuring interval scores from a personality test given to a group of emotionally troubled people and comparing them to the population ?? for emotionally healthy people.
Independent variable - emotionally troubled people or not.
Dependent variable - interval scores from a personality test
As, the dependent variable (interval scores) is a continuous variable, parametric procedure should be used.