PSY 307 – Statistics for the Behavioral SciencesRandom SamplingRepeated Random SamplingAll Possible Random SamplesSampling Distribution of the MeanMean of the Sampling DistributionStandard Error of the MeanCentral Limit TheoremDemoWhy the Distribution is NormalProbability and StatisticsZ-Test for MeansZ-TestFormulaStep-by-Step ProcessDecision RuleCompare Your Sample’s z to the Critical ValuesAssumptions of the z-testPSY 307 – Statistics for the Behavioral SciencesChapter 9 – Sampling Distribution of the MeanRandom SamplingPopulationSample 1Mean = Mean = x1Repeated Random SamplingPopulationSample 1Sample 2Sample 3Sample 1Sample 4Mean = x1Mean = x2Mean = x3Mean = x4All Possible Random SamplesSample 1Sample 3Sample 3Sample 3Sample 3Sample 3Sample 3Sample 3Sample nPopulationMean = xMean = Sampling Distribution of the MeanProbability distribution of means for all possible random samples of a given size from some population.Used to develop a more accurate generalization about the population.All possible samples of a given size – not the same as completely surveying the population.Mean of the Sampling DistributionNotation:x = sample mean = population meanx = mean of all sample meansThe mean of all of the sample means equals the population mean.Most sample means are either larger or smaller than the population mean.Standard Error of the MeanA special type of standard deviation that measures variability in the sampling distribution.It tells you how much the sample means deviate from the mean of the sampling distribution ().Variability in the sampling distribution is less than in the population: x < .Central Limit TheoremThe shape of the sampling distribution approximates a normal curve.Larger sample sizes are closer to normal.This happens even if the original distribution is not normal itself.DemoCentral Limit Theorem:http://onlinestatbook.com/stat_sim/sampling_dist/index.htmlWhy the Distribution is NormalWith a large enough sample size, the sample contains the full range of small, medium & large values.Extreme values are diluted when calculating the mean.When a large number of extreme values are found, the mean may be more extreme itself.The more extreme the mean, the less likely such a sample will occur.Probability and StatisticsProbability tells us whether an outcome is common (likely) or rare (unlikely).The proportions of cases under the normal curve (p) can be thought of as probabilities of occurrence for each value.Values in the tails of the curve are very rare (uncommon or unlikely).Z-Test for MeansBecause the sampling distribution of the mean is normal, z-scores can be used to test sample means.To convert a sample mean to a z-score, use the z-score formula, but replace the parts with sample statistics:Use the sample mean in place of xUse the hypothesized population mean in place of the meanUse the standard error of the mean in place of the standard deviationZ-TestTo convert any score to z:z = x – Formula for testing a sample mean:z = x – xFormulaAleks refers to x or M.This is the standard error of the mean.It is easiest to calculate the standard error of the mean using the following formula:Step-by-Step ProcessState the research problem.State the statistical hypotheses using symbols: H0: = 500, H1: ≠ 500.State the decision rule: e.g., p<.05Do the calculations using formula.Make a decision: accept or reject H0Interpret the results.Decision RuleThe decision rule specifies precisely when the null hypothesis can be rejected (assumed to be untrue).For the z-test, it specifies exact z-scores that are the boundaries for common and rare outcomes:Retain the null if z ≥ -1.96 or z ≤ 1.96Another way to say this is retain H0 when: -1.96 ≤ z ≤ 1.96Compare Your Sample’s z to the Critical Values-1.96 1.96.025.025COMMON = .05Assumptions of the z-testA z-test produces valid results only when the following assumptions are met:The population is normally distributed or the sample size is large (N > 30).The population standard deviation is known.When these assumptions are not met, use a different
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