1. EBI Statistics 101

2. Survey Questions
There are three basic types of questions used within an EBI survey:
Categorical
Scaled
Text

3. Categorical Question Allows the data to be divided into groups
Example: gender or race
Often referred to as a “demographic question”
A categorical question allows respondents to place themselves into exactly one category
A demographic categorical question characterizes the respondent’s personal attributes
A demographic question is a type of categorical question

4. Scaled Questions
Allow respondents to indicate how strongly they feel about a question or statement using a rating scale
Good for gauging the respondent’s attitude
Example:

5. Text Question Is considered “open-ended”
Allows respondents to write an answer in their own words
Example:

6. Basic Statistical Terms
Mean response
Standard deviation
Frequency distribution
Factor means

7. Mean Response Is an average Is only used on scaled questions
Is computed by taking the sum of all the numerical responses to a question and dividing that sum by the number of people who answered the question
N/A (not applicable) responses are omitted from the mean

8. Standard Deviation
Tells how tightly the responses are clustered around the mean; a measure of dispersal, or variation, in the responses
Responses are clustered near the mean
Responses are dispersed from the mean

9. Standard Deviation
If the responses are close to the mean, we expect to see a low standard deviation.
This shows the respondents answered the question in a similar manner.
In contrast, if the responses are spread across a greater range, the standard deviation will be higher.

10. Standard Deviation
Higher standard deviation is often interpreted as higher volatility, because more respondents answered one extreme or the other.
In comparison, lower standard deviation would likely be an indicator of stability.
The most consistent responses are those with the lowest standard deviation.

11. Frequency Distribution
Shows the number or percent of individuals that selected each of the responses for the corresponding question
N shows
the number of
people who
responded
Key Text shows
the answers
to the question

12. Frequency Distribution
Frequency distributions can also be formed by grouping responses together.

13. Frequency Distribution
If each category represents an equal portion of the participants, it indicates there is little agreement among the participants.
If one category represents a large portion of the participants, then there is a large degree of agreement among the participants. This reflects a common level of satisfaction.

14. Factors A group of questions statistically tied together
A factor describes a broad concept more accurately than a single question does
Dining Services Factor
How satisfied are you with the following aspects of the dining services?
Food quality
Cleanliness
Atmosphere
Hours

15. Dependent and Independent Factors
Overall program effectiveness or overall satisfaction is typically the dependent factor
The remaining factors are typically the independent factors

16. Regression
A statistical method used to predict the value of the dependent variable (typically the “Overall Program Effectiveness” factor) by studying its relationship with the independent variables (typically all other factors)
Tells us the level of impact the independent factors have on the overall factor

17. Statistical Testing
Suppose you examined the mean response to a question asked of male and female participants.
In all likelihood, the mean for males will be different than the mean for females.
Statistical testing reveals whether the difference occurred as the result of random chance, or if there is a real difference between the way men and women perceive the question.

18. Statistical Testing
Categorical – tests for a real difference in the mean of two categories
Example: men vs. women
Longitudinal – tests for a real difference in the mean from one year to the next
Example: 2009 vs. 2010
External – tests for a real difference in the means of your institution and comparison institutions
Example: your institution vs. select 6

19. Benchmarking
An improvement process in which an institution compares its performance against other institutions and uses the information to improve its own performance
Two types of benchmarking-
internal
external

20. Internal Benchmarking
Longitudinal – shows where you have made improvements and where improvements could be made
Unit/Category – shows which units or categories performed at a higher level

21. External Benchmarking
Select 6 – compares your institution to six participating peer institutions of your choice
Carnegie Class – compares your institution to a group of similar institutions
All Institutions – compares your institution to all other participating institutions combined

22. Contact Us If you have questions or
need more information, please contact:
EBI Help Desk