Advanced Skills - Statistics
Once you have a dependent variable, the next stage is to consider the independent variable. This is what would go on the x-axis of a graph.
Hopefully, you remember from the first year, there are two types of independent variables.
Continuous variables – these are numbers, much like the dependent variables
Categorical variables – these can not be meaningfully defined as a number, or placed in any kind of order (e.g. Sex, male and female), occupation (manual, administrative etc.)
In some cases, independent variables could be either of these things – especially named categories which can go in an obvious order (e.g. t-shirt sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL). There is more on these special categories here. But in most cases, it is reasonably obvious what type of variable you have.
If you remember from last year – the independent variable determines what type of graph you would make:
Continuous = scatter plot
Categorical = bar chart
The good news is, the same applies to the type of statistical test you would use
Continuous = correlation or regression
Categorical = t-test or ANOVA (or equivalent, depending on your data)
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The independent variable is key to your choice of stats test. Again, think of it carefully at the planning stage of your work. Do this now, as you will already be thinking about your dissertation proposal. The statistics are now fresh in your mind, and next year, you will already know what tests you will perform.
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