Chapter 10 Objectives

After studying this chapter and completing the structured exercises in the module, you should be able to do the following.

• Distinguish among nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio scales of measurement.
  
• Recognize differences between discrete and continuously-distributed variables.
  
• Apply methods for tabulation and arrangement of data from assessments.
  
  • Rank Order distributions
    
  • Simple (Ungrouped) Frequency Distributions
    
  • Grouped Frequency Distributions
    
• Compute and interpret commonly used measures of central tendency and variability.
  
  • Mean, Median, Mode
    
  • Standard Deviation, Range
    
• Graph and interpret shapes of distributions.
  
  • Histograms
    
  • Frequency Polygons
    
  • Ogives
    
• Describe mathematical properties of the normal distribution and its uses in measurement.
  
• Compute and interpret correlation coefficients.
  
  • Pearson’s r and other correlation coefficients
    
  • Bivariate scatterplots
    
  • (Awareness of) how regression and factor analysis is used to investigate measurement problems/issues.
    
• Compute and interpret measures of relative position in normal and non-normal distributions.
  
  • z-scores, T scores
    
  • Percentiles, percentile ranks

The purpose of the Chapter Highlights is to help you remember key concepts. As you review the summary, click on underlined terms (terms with activated links) to retrieve glossary definitions. If too many terms seem unfamiliar or you miss too many items on the structured comprehension exercises and tests provided for each chapter in this computer module, you may want to re-read the chapter or see your instructor.