2.1 Developing a Thesis 2.2 Characteristics of Data

Example 1 Determine the main variables in the following thesis questions How is accuracy of a person’s ability to estimate height and distance related to his or her height and age? Variables: - gender, age, height, guessed height, actual height, guessed distance, actual distance Are females or males better at estimating the size of a large crowd? Variables: - gender, actual crowd size, estimated size

Example 1 - Continued Is there a relationship between the quality of a person’s clothing and his/her midterm average Variables: - gender, grade, midterm average, value of clothing, trendiness of clothing, newness of clothing, “quality” of clothing What is the relationship between mid-term average and favourite subject? Variables: - grade, favourite subject

Qualitative, Quantitative, Continuous, Discrete Qualitative variables do not have numerical values. Quantitative variables have numerical values. Continuous variables have an unlimited number of values, these values are determined by measuring something. Discrete variables have an limited number of values, these values are determined by counting something. Qualitative variables are not continuous or discrete. Quantitative variables are either continuous or discrete.

Example 2 Classify the variables. QualitativeQuantitativeContinuousDiscrete Gender Age Height Guessed Height Actual Height Midterm Average Value of Clothing Quality of Clothing Fav. Subject

Longitudinal or Cross Sectional Longitudinal are studies performed on the same group (sample) over an extended period of time. Example Does the birth weight of a child affect their height, weight, intelligence, athletic ability, etc as an adult? Cross-Sectional studies are performed on a group (sample) at a particular instant. Example Are their relationships between the height, weight, age, gender and happiness of teenagers?

Example 3 Create 5 questions related to the T.V. watching habits of teenagers. Ensure that these questions would generate enough data to be “interesting”. Would a longitudinal study or a cross sectional study be needed to answer these questions? 1) Does the amount of tv watched by teenagers affect their fitness, success and happiness more or less at age 15, 25, 35, etc? Longitudinal Study Remaining answers were completed on the board.