BPCC 104 E 2023 24 GSPH@9891268050 Ehbkyu

STATISTICAL METHODS FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH- I (BPCC 104)
Tutor Marked Assignments (TMA)
Course Code: BPCC 104

Assignment Code: Asst /TMA /July 2023-January 2024
Total Marks: 70
NOTE: All assignments are compulsory.
Instructions:
1. Have a title page. Include details like Name, Enrolment number, Email id, Regional Centre,
Study Centre, Programme Title and code, Course title and code and Tutorial code.
2. Use A4 size paper for the tutorial (ruled/ bank).
3. For making tables, blank pages can be used and tables/ graphs (if any) to be drawn in pencil.
4. Content should not be plagiarised.
Part A
Assignment One
Answer the following questions in about 500 words each (wherever applicable).
Each question carries 20 marks.
2 x 20 = 40
1. Define statistics. Explain the basic concepts in statistics.
2. Compute Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation for the following data:
Individuals A B C D E F G H I J
Data A 34 22 10 11 23 20 16 18 21 15
Data B 12 23 21 24 10 30 28 29 32 25
Assignment Two
Answer the following questions in about 100 words each (wherever applicable).
Each question carries 5 marks.
6 x 5 = 30
3. Explain the type-I and type-II errors in the process of hypothesis testing.
4. Compute mean, median and mode for the following data

50 68 90 45 75 48 72 65 58 50
5. Explain the merits, limitations and uses of standard deviation.
6. Compute average deviation for the following data.
18 15 16 14 11 8 7 12 10 13
7. Describe the properties of Normal Distribution Curve (NPC)
8. Discuss the concept of Kurtosis and Skewness.

PART B
TUTORIAL
Course Code: BPCC 104

Tutorial Code: Tutorial /July 2023-January 2024
Tutorial Marks: 30
Note: You need to complete the activity as instructed. All the activities are compulsory.
Instructions:
1. Have a title page. Include details like Name, Enrolment number, Email id, Regional Centre,
Study Centre, Programme Title and code, Course title and code and Tutorial code.
2. Use A4 size paper for the tutorial (ruled/ bank).
3. For making tables, blank pages can be used and tables/ graphs (if any) to be drawn in pencil.
4. Content should not be plagiarised.
5. Tutorial should be handwritten.
Activity 1: Collect data of age (in years) and approx. annual income (in rupees) from 50 working
individuals. For the obtained data compute mean, median, mode and standard deviation (separately
for age and annual income). Tabulate the raw data and show the calculations with the help of
formulae discussed in the course material of BPCC104. Draw suitable graphs based on the data
collected.
20 Marks
Activity 2: Take any one block of your choice from BPCC104 and write a review of the same in
about 500 words. The review needs to be in your own words and should cover the important aspects
of the block. 10 Marks
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BPCC 104 STATISTICAL METHODS FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH- I

Disclaimer: The provided responses to assignment questions have been crafted by a private tutor as guidance for students. Despite meticulous
preparation, we cannot guarantee absolute accuracy due to the inherent complexity and diversity of academic topics. These materials are
offered as a helpful reference and should not replace official university resources or personal research. Students are advised to cross-reference
these solutions with their own understanding and the resources provided by their institution. While every effort is made to avoid inaccuracies,
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Part A
IN
Assignment One
S.
1. Define statistics. Explain the basic concepts in statistics.
41 NT
Statistics is the science and practice of developing human knowledge through the
76 E
use of empirical data. It involves the design, collection, analysis, interpretation,
98 NM
presentation, and organization of data. Statistics can be applied to a wide variety
of fields including economics, psychology, biology, public health, and even sports
82 IG
science. It provides tools for understanding the world through data, making it
essential for making informed decisions in both academic research and everyday
79 S
life.
AS
One of the foundational concepts in statistics is the notion of a 'population' versus

a 'sample'. A population is a complete set of items that share a common attribute,
U
while a sample is a subset of a population. For instance, if you want to know the
O
average age of all employees in a company, the population would include every
N
single employee, whereas a sample might consist of just 50 employees randomly

IG
selected. The aim is usually to make inferences about the population based on the
sample.
Another key concept is 'variables', which are characteristics or measurements that

can be quantified. Variables can be 'categorical', such as gender or ethnicity, or
'numerical', like age or income. Numerical variables can further be divided into
'discrete' (countable, such as the number of pets someone has) or 'continuous'
(measurable on a continuum, like height).
'Distribution' is central to understanding how data points in a sample or

population are spread. The most commonly recognized distribution is the 'normal
distribution', often represented as a bell curve. Various measures help describe
distributions, like 'mean' (average), 'median' (middle value), and 'mode' (most
frequent value).
Statistics also deals with 'probability', the mathematical framework for

understanding how likely various outcomes are. Probability theory provides the
IN
basis for 'inferential statistics', which allows statisticians to make educated
guesses about a population based on sample data. This is where you'll encounter
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concepts like 'confidence intervals' and 'p-values', which provide a measure of
uncertainty or confidence around statistical estimates.
41 NT
Inferential statistics often involve hypothesis testing. A 'null hypothesis' serves as a
76 E
default position that there is no effect or difference, and the aim is to test
98 NM
whether available data provide enough evidence to reject this null hypothesis in
favor of an 'alternative hypothesis'.
82 IG
Another essential concept is 'correlation', which measures the relationship

between two variables. However, it's crucial to remember that correlation does
79 S
not imply causation. Just because two variables are correlated does not mean one
AS
causes the other to happen; a third variable might be influencing both, for
instance.
U
'Regression analysis' is a more advanced method to understand relationships

O
between variables. This technique can model and analyze several variables
N
simultaneously to see how they influence a single outcome variable.

IG
statistics is a multifaceted discipline that provides a systematic approach to

gathering, analyzing, and interpreting data. Its basic concepts like population,
sample, variables, distribution, probability, inferential statistics, and correlation
form the backbone of statistical reasoning and application. These concepts allow
statisticians, researchers, and even laypeople to make sense of data, identify
patterns, and make informed decisions based on empirical evidence.
2. Compute Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation for the following data:
IN
S.
41 NT
76 E
98 NM
82 IG
79 S
AS
U
O
N
IG
IN
S.
41 NT
76 E
98 NM
82 IG
79 S
AS
U
O
N
IG
Assignment Two
3. Explain the type-I and type-II errors in the process of hypothesis testing.
In hypothesis testing, making a correct conclusion is the ultimate goal, but errors
can occur. These errors are classified into two main types: Type-I error and Type-II
error. Understanding these errors is crucial for interpreting the results of
hypothesis tests and for making informed decisions based on those results.
Type-I Error
A Type-I error occurs when the null hypothesis is true, but it is incorrectly rejected
IN
in favor of the alternative hypothesis. In simpler terms, a Type-I error is a "false
S.
positive." This means that we are led to believe that there is a significant effect or
difference when, in reality, there isn't one.
41 NT
76 E
98 NM
82 IG
Example:
Suppose a pharmaceutical company claims that a new drug has no side effects. A
79 S
researcher performs a test and rejects this claim, suggesting that the drug does
AS
have side effects. If the drug truly has no side effects, then this conclusion
represents a Type-I error.
U
O
Type-II Error
N
A Type-II error occurs when the null hypothesis is false, but it is incorrectly
IG
retained, failing to adopt the alternative hypothesis. In other words, a Type-II error
is a "false negative." This means that we fail to detect a real effect or difference
when one actually exists.
Example:
Continuing with the pharmaceutical example, suppose a different drug is said to

be ineffective against a particular illness. Testing shows that the drug is ineffective,
retaining the null hypothesis. Later, it turns out that the drug is actually effective.
This mistake is a Type-II error.
Balancing the Errors
IN
S.
Type-I and Type-II errors represent the two main categories of errors in hypothesis
41 NT
testing. Type-I errors involve falsely rejecting a true null hypothesis, while Type-II
errors involve failing to reject a false null hypothesis. Both errors carry their own
76 E
costs and implications, which must be considered carefully in the design and
98 NM
interpretation of hypothesis tests.
4. Compute mean, median and mode for the following data

82 IG
79 S
AS
To compute the mean, median, and mode for the given data set, you'll want to
start by arranging the data in ascending order:
U
O
45,48,50,50,58,65,68,72,75,9045,48,50,50,58,65,68,72,75,90
N
Mean
IG
The mean is calculated by summing all the values in a data set and then dividing
by the number of values. In this case, the mean is:
Mean=45+48+50+50+58+65+68+72+75+9010=62110=62.1Mean=1045+48+50+50
+58+65+68+72+75+90=10621=62.1
Median
The median is the middle value in a data set that has been sorted in ascending
order. If there's an odd number of data points, the median is the middle value; if
there's an even number, it's the average of the two middle values.
In this data set, there are 10 values (an even number), so the median is the
average of the 5th and 6th values:
Median=58+652=1232=61.5Median=258+65=2123=61.5
IN
Mode
S.
The mode is the value that appears most frequently in a data set. A data set may
have no mode, one mode, or more than one mode.
41 NT
In this data set, the number 50 appears twice, more than any other number,
making it the mode:
76 E
98 NM
Mode=50Mode=50
So, for this data set:

82 IG
 The mean is 62.162.1

79 S
 The median is 61.561.5

AS
 The mode is 5050

U
5. Explain the merits, limitations and uses of standard deviation.

O
Merits of Standard Deviation

N
 Quantitative Measure: Standard deviation provides a quantitative measure

IG
of dispersion, making it easier to compare variability across different data

sets.
 Sensitive to Variability: Unlike the range or interquartile range, standard

deviation takes into account every data point, not just extremes, making it
highly sensitive to variability in data.
 Basis for Other Statistical Tests: Many other statistical methods and tests,
like Z-tests and T-tests, rely on standard deviation to measure data
dispersion.
 Normal Distribution Assumptions: When data follows a normal

distribution, standard deviation provides a wealth of information, allowing
you to predict the percentage of data points that lie within a certain
number of standard deviations from the mean.
IN
Limitations of Standard Deviation
S.
 Sensitive to Outliers: Standard deviation is greatly affected by outliers or
41 NT
extreme values, which can distort the real dispersion level of a data set.
 Inapplicable to Skewed Data: Standard deviation is most useful for data
76 E
that is approximately normally distributed. For highly skewed or bimodal
98 NM
distributions, it may not offer a good measure of spread.
 Units: Standard deviation is in the same units as the data, which may
82 IG
sometimes make it harder to compare variability across data sets with

different units.
79 S
AS
 Complexity: Calculating the standard deviation involves squaring, summing,

and rooting, which could be seen as more complex compared to other
U
measures like the range or median absolute deviation.

O
Uses of Standard Deviation

N
 Quality Control: Industries use standard deviation to monitor the quality of

IG
products. A low standard deviation indicates consistent quality.
 Finance: In investment and risk assessment, standard deviation of returns

serves as a measure of an investment's volatility.
 Psychometrics: Standard deviation helps in the creation of standardized

tests and assessments, helping educators understand student performance
relative to a distribution.
 Healthcare: It is widely used in various branches of medicine, to

understand, for example, the average length of hospital stays, or the
variability in results of a particular treatment among patients.
 Social Sciences: It is used to understand and interpret data variability in

populations, such as income levels, test scores, and more.
 Data Science: In machine learning and data analytics, standard deviation

helps in features scaling and understanding data distribution which is crucial
IN
for the performance of many algorithms.
S.
6. Compute average deviation for the following data.
41 NT
76 E
98 NM
Average Deviation, often called Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD), is calculated by
taking the average of the absolute differences between each data point and the
82 IG
mean of the data set. To compute the Average Deviation for the given data set
{18,15,16,14,11,8,7,12,10,13}{18,15,16,14,11,8,7,12,10,13}, we can
79 S
AS
U
O
N
IG
IN
S.
41 NT
76 E
98 NM
82 IG
79 S
AS
U
Step 3: Calculate Average Deviation (Mean Absolute Deviation)

O
Finally, sum these absolute deviations and divide by the total number of data
N
points to find the Average Deviation:

IG
Average Deviation
So, the Average Deviation (Mean Absolute Deviation) for the given data set is
2.862.86.
7. Describe the properties of Normal Distribution Curve (NPC)
The Normal Distribution Curve, often simply referred to as the normal

distribution, is one of the most important concepts in statistics and is widely used
across various fields. Here are some of its key properties:
Symmetry
IN
S.
Bell-Shaped
41 NT
The curve resembles a bell, starting low, peaking at the mean, and then gradually
tapering off towards the tails. This shape indicates that most of the observations
76 E
are clustered around the mean, and fewer observations occur as you move away
98 NM
from the mean.
Mean, Median, and Mode

82 IG
In a normal distribution, the mean, median, and mode are all equal and located at
the peak of the curve.
79 S
AS
Asymptotic Nature
The curve extends infinitely in both directions and never touches the x-axis. This
U
means that theoretically, there is a non-zero probability for any value to occur,
O
though the probability gets closer to zero as you move farther from the mean.
N
Area Under Curve

IG
The total area under the normal distribution curve is equal to 1, which represents
the total probability of all possible outcomes.
Standard Deviation (�σ)
Empirical Rule (68-95-99.7 Rule)
In a normal distribution:

 Approximately 95% falls within two standard deviations.
IN
 Approximately 99.7% falls within three standard deviations.
S.
41 NT
Independence of Variables
In a multivariate normal distribution, if the variables are statistically independent,
76 E
the individual distributions are also normally distributed.
98 NM
Transformations
Linear transformations (adding or multiplying by a constant) of a normally

82 IG
distributed variable also result in a normal distribution. However, this is not

79 S
generally true for non-linear transformations.

AS
8. Discuss the concept of Kurtosis and Skewness.
Kurtosis
U
O
Kurtosis is a statistical measure that describes the "tailedness" of the distribution

of a random variable. It provides insight into the heaviness of the tails and the
N
peak of a distribution compared to a standard normal distribution.

IG
 Mesokurtic: A distribution with kurtosis equal to 3 is considered to have

normal kurtosis. Such a distribution is called mesokurtic and resembles the
standard normal distribution in shape.
 Leptokurtic: If the kurtosis is greater than 3, the distribution is said to be

leptokurtic. Leptokurtic distributions have heavier tails and a sharper peak
than a standard normal distribution.
 Platykurtic: If the kurtosis is less than 3, the distribution is platykurtic.

Platykurtic distributions have lighter tails and a flatter peak compared to a
standard normal distribution.
Skewness
Skewness measures the asymmetry of a distribution about its mean. The

skewness value can be negative, positive, or undefined, and it helps to identify the
direction and degree of skew (departure from horizontal symmetry).
IN
 Positive Skew: A positive value indicates that the tail on the right side is
S.
longer or fatter than the left side. In a positively skewed distribution, the
41 NT
mean is usually greater than the median.
 Negative Skew: A negative value means the tail on the left side is longer or
76 E
fatter than the right side. In a negatively skewed distribution, the mean is
98 NM
usually less than the median.
 Zero Skew: A skewness of zero indicates that the data are perfectly
82 IG
symmetrical, though it is quite unlikely for real-world data.

79 S
Importance and Applications

AS
Both kurtosis and skewness are important for understanding the nature of the
distribution of a random variable. They are commonly used in various fields such
U
as:
O
 Finance: To understand the return distribution of assets and to manage the

N
risk associated with extreme price changes.

IG
 Quality Control: To understand the distribution of manufactured products'

quality and to identify abnormal outcomes.
 Medical Research: To summarize the distribution of health-related variables

and to identify outliers or abnormal results.
 Social Sciences: To understand the distribution of various social variables

like income, education levels, etc.
In summary, kurtosis and skewness provide deeper insights into the shape of a
distribution, capturing its nuances beyond central tendency and variability. These
metrics are critical for data analysis and inferential statistics, helping analysts
make more informed decisions.
IN
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41 NT
76 E
98 NM
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79 S
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U
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N
IG

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STATISTICAL METHODS FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH- I (BPCC 104)

Tutor Marked Assignments (TMA)

Course Code: BPCC 104

NOTE: All assignments are compulsory.

1. Define statistics. Explain the basic concepts in statistics.

2. Compute Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation for the following data:

4. Compute mean, median and mode for the following data

5. Explain the merits, limitations and uses of standard deviation.

6. Compute average deviation for the following data.

7. Describe the properties of Normal Distribution Curve (NPC)

8. Discuss the concept of Kurtosis and Skewness.

Course Code: BPCC 104

ALL THE BEST

BPCC 104 STATISTICAL METHODS FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH- I

One of the foundational concepts in statistics is the notion of a 'population' versus

single employee, whereas a sample might consist of just 50 employees randomly

Another key concept is 'variables', which are characteristics or measurements that

'Distribution' is central to understanding how data points in a sample or

Statistics also deals with 'probability', the mathematical framework for

Another essential concept is 'correlation', which measures the relationship

'Regression analysis' is a more advanced method to understand relationships

simultaneously to see how they influence a single outcome variable.

statistics is a multifaceted discipline that provides a systematic approach to

2. Compute Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation for the following data:

Continuing with the pharmaceutical example, suppose a different drug is said to

Balancing the Errors

4. Compute mean, median and mode for the following data

So, for this data set:

 The mean is 62.162.1

 The median is 61.561.5

 The mode is 5050

5. Explain the merits, limitations and uses of standard deviation.

Merits of Standard Deviation

 Quantitative Measure: Standard deviation provides a quantitative measure

of dispersion, making it easier to compare variability across different data

 Sensitive to Variability: Unlike the range or interquartile range, standard

 Normal Distribution Assumptions: When data follows a normal

 Inapplicable to Skewed Data: Standard deviation is most useful for data

sometimes make it harder to compare variability across data sets with

 Complexity: Calculating the standard deviation involves squaring, summing,

measures like the range or median absolute deviation.

Uses of Standard Deviation

 Quality Control: Industries use standard deviation to monitor the quality of

products. A low standard deviation indicates consistent quality.

 Finance: In investment and risk assessment, standard deviation of returns

 Psychometrics: Standard deviation helps in the creation of standardized

 Healthcare: It is widely used in various branches of medicine, to

 Social Sciences: It is used to understand and interpret data variability in

 Data Science: In machine learning and data analytics, standard deviation

Step 3: Calculate Average Deviation (Mean Absolute Deviation)

points to find the Average Deviation:

7. Describe the properties of Normal Distribution Curve (NPC)

The Normal Distribution Curve, often simply referred to as the normal

Mean, Median, and Mode

Area Under Curve

Standard Deviation (�σ)

Empirical Rule (68-95-99.7 Rule)

In a multivariate normal distribution, if the variables are statistically independent,

Linear transformations (adding or multiplying by a constant) of a normally

distributed variable also result in a normal distribution. However, this is not

generally true for non-linear transformations.

8. Discuss the concept of Kurtosis and Skewness.

Kurtosis is a statistical measure that describes the "tailedness" of the distribution