What term best refers to a number that tells researchers how close their data is to the actual population value?
(1 point)
Responses
descriptive interval
descriptive interval
confirmation bias
confirmation bias
cognitive bias
cognitive bias
confidence interval
confidence interval
The term that best refers to a number that tells researchers how close their data is to the actual population value is a "confidence interval." To understand this concept, let's break it down:
1. Start with the term "data": Data refers to the information collected by researchers during a study or research project. It can be numbers, measurements, observations, or any other form of recorded information.
2. Next, we have the "actual population value": This refers to the true value of a particular characteristic or parameter that exists in the entire population being studied. However, it is usually not feasible or practical to collect data from the entire population, so researchers work with a smaller sample.
3. Now, let's define the "confidence interval": A confidence interval is a statistical range or estimate that provides an interval of values within which the true population parameter is likely to fall. It determines how close or accurate researchers' data is in representing the actual population value.
4. The key term "confidence" is about the level of confidence that researchers have in their results. It is commonly expressed as a percentage, such as 95% confidence interval. This means that if the study were repeated many times, 95% of the confidence intervals constructed would contain the true population parameter.
By calculating and reporting a confidence interval, researchers can provide a measure of uncertainty around their estimated parameter. This helps in understanding the precision and reliability of their data and allows others to assess the validity of the findings.
In summary, a "confidence interval" is the term that best refers to a number that tells researchers how close their data is to the actual population value, providing a measure of uncertainty and confidence in their results.