Fearing Statistics
Posted by KRSchwartz on November 5, 2009 in statistics
Despite the fact that I am probably beginning to sound like a broken record through the repetition of the fact that math has never been my forte, once again, I am going to have to admit that math and its abundance of formulas and equations is, (and always will always be), the bane of my existence. Therefore, upon entering this class, a Psychology class that claims to be rooted in statistical formulas and equations, I was definitely expecting the worst. Regardless, I maintained a sense of optimism considering the fact that, despite being my major, Psychology has always been a favorite subject of mine. However, at the same time, I also attained the assumption that Psychology could only be statistically-based to an extent. I mean, after all, Psychology is the study of the mind’s mental processes and a person’s subsequent behavior (Hockenbury 3). So what would be the relevance of computing standard deviations and performing z-tests if all one is doing is studying behavior? This is the realm within which my ignorance and naivety lied.
Regardless, as the class progresses, despite the fact that the sour taste of math and statistics still remains in my mouth, I have come to better understand the reason as to why the field of Psychology could be statistically based, (especially when it comes to the performance of actual research and experimentation). Even though I completely disagree with David Lane’s opinion of statistics being “…one of the most important subject matter[s]” to study, I am going to have to admit that its usage is quite necessary in the field of research when it comes to taking given data and interpreting it accordingly in order to draw conclusions relating to potential hypotheses (http://cnx.org/content/m10182/latest/). In other words, in all fields of research, statistics are used in order to verify or falsify given hypotheses and to draw subsequent conclusions and answer questions by studying and interpreting the given results in terms of the experiment. For example, as far as the project in Iraq is concerned, statistics have allowed for the interpretation of the various results obtained in order to expand upon or make alterations to the current methods of experimentation and acquisition of results currently used by Heartland Alliance and UNICEF.
Therefore, like it or not, the presence of statistics is apparent everywhere. Whether it be the possibility that “4 out of 5 dentists recommend Dentyne” or the potential that “79.48% of all statistics are made up on the spot,” the concept is a whole lot more prevalent than one might think (http://cnx.org/content/m10182/latest/). As a matter of fact, I was originally one who did not understand the importance of statistics; but now, I have come to realize that despite the occasionally agonizing amount of work associated with obtaining results, the concept of statistics is actually quite a helpful tool in the interpretation of acquired data. I will admit that, although my negative feelings for math as a whole have not changed, my understanding as to the reason why statistics are so heavily relied upon in research scenarios has, indeed, matured. (Or at least I now know which brand of gum I should be chewing).
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