Statistics for the Social Sciences

Many of my students (MA and PhD students in the social sciences) struggle with the transition from descriptive to inferential statistics. The inclusion of both population and sample statistics promotes this process. This chart builds on the knowledge students are already comfortable with. Beginning with an arithmetic mean, it moves to seven more complex statistics necessary for understanding inferential statistics. This chart illustrates the mathematical and conceptual relationship between

This two-page table organizes the nuts and bolts of significance testing by the number of variables includes (one, two, three or more) and by the level of measurement (categorical, ordinal, interval/ratio). Also included: the relevant test statistic, mathematical formula, assumptions, hypotheses, and clarifying notes.

The statistical inference chart provides a visual for choosing the appropriate statistical test to perform and the associated hypotheses based on the number and type of variables. The assignment page can be used as an in-class or home work assignment with accompanying answer key. The answer key itself can serve as an in-class handout or classroom poster. The answer key serves as an outline for the basics of inferential statistics. I give this to my MA and PhD social science students in their i