Scribd
Upload
33 views

N's in The Teens Are O.K. However, There's A Trade-Off With "Power" (Next Chapter) When N's Are

This document defines key concepts related to sampling distributions and the central limit theorem. It explains that as the sample size increases, the sampling distribution of the mean approaches a normal distribution according to the central limit theorem. It also discusses how the standard error of the mean decreases as sample size increases, making the sample mean a more accurate estimate of the population mean. The standard error of the mean is used to determine the probability that a sample mean came from a particular population.

Uploaded by

Arnold Emmanuel Fontanilla
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
33 views

N's in The Teens Are O.K. However, There's A Trade-Off With "Power" (Next Chapter) When N's Are

This document defines key concepts related to sampling distributions and the central limit theorem. It explains that as the sample size increases, the sampling distribution of the mean approaches a normal distribution according to the central limit theorem. It also discusses how the standard error of the mean decreases as sample size increases, making the sample mean a more accurate estimate of the population mean. The standard error of the mean is used to determine the probability that a sample mean came from a particular population.

Uploaded by

Arnold Emmanuel Fontanilla
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Sampling distributions

Sampling error – definition


Sampling distribution – definition
Sampling distribution of the mean – definition

Central limit theorem – the cornerstone of much of inferential statistics!


For any population . . . the distribution of sample means . . . will approach normality as n for
each of the samples approaches infinity. In practical terms, n ≥ 30 is sufficient.
And, as we will see later, even n’s in the lower 20’s often are sufficient, and sometimes even
n’s in the teens are o.k. However, there’s a trade-off with “power” [next chapter] when n’s are
lower, so one should be cautious on this point.

Characteristics of the sampling distribution of the mean:


Shape –
According to the CLT, the sampling distribution of the mean will be normal if
(1) the underlying population distribution is normal
– or –
(2) the n for each sample is relatively large: around 30 or more.
Central tendency –
The mean of the sampling distribution of the mean always = µ.
This value is called the “expected value of the sample mean.”
Dispersion (standard deviation) –
The standard deviation of sample means from µ is called “standard error of the mean. “
S.E.M. is the “standard distance” between Xand µ, symbolized by σ X.
S.E.M. specifies the amount of error one can expect when using Xto estimate µ.
Thus it’s a strong indicator of how good the estimate is:
large σ X indicates that X is a poor estimator of µ.
small σ X indicates that X is a good estimator of µ.
Two factors influence σ X:
The size of the sample – as n increases, the difference between Xand µ
grows smaller, hence σ X is smaller.
Note examples with graphs & numbers . . .
Known as “law of large numbers.”
If n is so large that n = N, then Xcertainly = µ and σ X = 0.
Show via graph . . .
Vice versa, as n grows smaller, then “error,” σ X, grows larger.
Again, show via graph . . .
If n = 1, then X= X, and σ X = σ (i.e., the std distance from a score to µ,
as we learned in Psy 231).
So the lesson for researchers: when possible, use larger n.
Formula: σ X = σ/√n [i.e., sigma divided by the square root of n.]
Looking at the formula, we can readily see that as n increases, σ X decreases.
Also, if n = 1, then σ X - σ.
Numerical & real-world examples . . .
Primary use of the sampling distribution of the mean is to determine probability regarding any
specific sample. That is, how likely is it that a particular sample is drawn from a particular population?
If p is large, then Xis near µ and the sample is probably from that population; otherwise, no.
Real-world examples . . .
We can use the z-score to study the relations between Xand µ.
Remember that for a single score,
z = (X-µ)/σ.
The z for means is similar, but X is replace by X, and σ is replaced by σ X, thusly:
z = (X- µ)/σ X.
Now we can use the Unit Normal Table to determine p for means, just like we did to determine p for
individual scores.
Practice exercises & examples . . .

More on standard error of the mean

A sample typically will not be a perfect representation of the population from which it came.
Thus any particular statistic will not perfectly match its corresponding parameter.
The discrepancy between a statistic and a parameter is called sampling error.
Since we are usually taking about the mean, we say, “sampling error of the mean.”
The standard error, σ X, measures the discrepancy between Xand µ.
Thus σ X provides researchers with a measure of accuracy when using Xto estimate µ.
This can be very important, since we often don’t know µ & have to estimate it.
Real-world examples . . .
Most of the statistical topics in Psy 232 are concerned with using samples, represented by X, to draw
inferences about populations. The amount of error in one’s inference is represented by σ X. We want
our inferences to be accurate, hence we want the amount error to be small.
Examples . . .
The standard error is an indicator of “chance” regarding the relation between a sample & a population.
Consider the difference between a sample’s mean and a population mean:
If the difference ≤ σ X, then the sample is probably part of that population.
If the difference is considerably larger than σ X, then the sample probably is not from that pop.
Examples . . .
Standard error is also an indicator of how reliability a sample’s mean is
If standard error for a particular sample is large, then Xprobably is not reliable,
and thus other samples would have very different X‘s
If standard error is small, however, then Xis more reliable, and other samples would
usually have similar means.
Show via graphs . . .
Examples . . .
Reporting S.E.M. in APA-style:
In the text --
In a table --
In a graph (via “error bars”) --

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy