Quick Links
Quick Links
UPSC Exams
Latest Update
Coaching
UPSC Current Affairs
Syllabus
UPSC Notes
Previous Year Papers
UPSC Mains Previous Year Question Papers Last 25 Years UPSC Prelims Question Papers Last 10 Years UPSC Question Papers UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Question Paper UPSC Mains 2024 Model Answers UPSC 2024 Question Papers UPSC 2023 Question Papers UPSC 2022 Question Papers UPSC 2021 Question Papers UPSC 2020 Question Papers UPSC 2019 Question Papers UPSC 2018 Question Papers UPSC 2017 Question Papers UPSC 2016 Question Papers UPSC 2015 Question Papers UPSC 2014 Question Papers UPSC CSAT Question Papers UPSC IFS Previous Year Paper UPSC Assistant Labour Commissioner Previous Question Year Papers UPSC Combined Geo Scientist Previous Year Paper UPSC APFC Previous Year Question Papers UPSC CMS Previous Year Question Paper UPSC EPFO Previous Year Paper UPSC Air Safety Officer Previous Year Papers UPSC SO Steno Previous Year Paper UPSC IES ISS Previous Year Question Papers
Mock Tests
UPSC Editorial
Bilateral Ties
Albania India Relations India Algeria Relations Andorra India Relations India Angola Relations India Antigua Barbuda Relations India Argentina Relations Austria India Relations India Azerbaijan Relations Bahamas India Relations India Bahrain Relations Barbados India Relations India Belarus Relations Belgium India Relations Belize India Relations Benin India Relations Bolivia India Relations India Bosnia Herzegovina Relations India Botswana Relations Brazil India Relations Brunei India Relations Bulgaria India Relations Burundi India Relations Cabo Verde India Relations India Cambodia Relations India Cameroon Relations Canada India Relations India Cayman Islands Relations India Central African Republic Relations India Chad Relations Chile India Relations India Colombia Relations India Comoros Relations India Democratic Republic Of The Congo Relations India Republic Of The Congo Relations India Cook Islands Relations India Costa Rica Relations India Ivory Coast Relations India Croatia Relations India Cyprus Relations India Czech Republic Relations India Djibouti Relations India Dominica Relations India Dominican Republic Relations India Ecuador Relations India El Salvador Relations India Equatorial Guinea Relations India Eritrea Relations Estonia India Relations India Ethiopia Relations India Fiji Relations India Finland Relations India Gabon Relations India Gambia Relations India Georgia Relations Germany India Relations India Ghana Relations India Greece Relations India Grenada Relations India Guatemala Relations India Guinea Relations India Guinea Bissau Relations India Guyana Relations India Haiti Relations India Holy See Relations India Honduras Relations India Hong Kong Relations India Hungary Relations India Iceland Relations India Indonesia Relations India Iran Relations India Iraq Relations India Ireland Relations India Jamaica Relations India Kazakhstan Relations India Kenya Relations India Kingdom Of Eswatini Relations India Kiribati Relations India Kuwait Relations India Kyrgyzstan Relations India Laos Relations Latvia India Relations India Lebanon Relations India Lesotho Relations India Liberia Relations Libya India Relations Liechtenstein India Relations India Lithuania Relations India Luxembourg Relations India Macao Relations Madagascar India Relations India Malawi Relations India Mali Relations India Malta Relations India Marshall Islands Relations India Mauritania Relations India Micronesia Relations India Moldova Relations Monaco India Relations India Montenegro Relations India Montserrat Relations India Morocco Relations Mozambique India Relations India Namibia Relations India Nauru Relations Netherlands India Relations India Nicaragua Relations India Niger Relations India Nigeria Relations India Niue Relations India North Macedonia Relations Norway India Relations India Palau Relations India Panama Relations India Papua New Guinea Relations India Paraguay Relations Peru India Relations India Philippines Relations Qatar India Relations India Romania Relations Rwanda India Relations India Saint Kitts And Nevis Relations India Saint Lucia Relations India Saint Vincent And Grenadines Relations India Samoa Relations India Sao Tome And Principe Relations Saudi Arabia India Relations India Senegal Relations Serbia India Relations India Sierra Leone Relations India Singapore Relations India Slovak Republic Relations India Slovenia Relations India Solomon Islands Relations Somalia India Relations India South Sudan Relations India Spain Relations India Sudan Relations Suriname India Relations India Sweden Relations India Syria Relations India Tajikistan Relations Tanzania India Relations India Togo Relations India Tonga Islands Relations India Trinidad And Tobago Relations India Tunisia Relations India Turkmenistan Relations India Turks And Caicos Islands Relations India Tuvalu Relations India Uganda Relations India Ukraine Relations India Uae Relations India Uruguay Relations India Uzbekistan Relations India Vanuatu Relations India Venezuela Relations India British Virgin Islands Relations Yemen India Relations India Zambia Relations India Zimbabwe Relations
Books
Government Schemes
Production Linked Incentive Scheme Integrated Processing Development Scheme Rodtep Scheme Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme Saathi Scheme Uday Scheme Hriday Scheme Samagra Shiksha Scheme India Nishta Scheme Stand Up India Scheme Sahakar Mitra Scheme Mdms Mid Day Meal Scheme Integrated Child Protection Scheme Vatsalya Scheme Operation Green Scheme Nai Roshni Scheme Nutrient Based Subsidy Scheme Kalia Scheme Ayushman Sahakar Scheme Nirvik Scheme Fame India Scheme Kusum Scheme Pm Svanidhi Scheme Pmvvy Scheme Pm Aasha Scheme Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shakti Kendra Scheme Pradhan Mantri Lpg Panjayat Scheme Mplads Scheme Svamitva Scheme Pat Scheme Udan Scheme Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat Scheme National Pension Scheme Ujala Scheme Operation Greens Scheme Gold Monetisation Scheme Family Planning Insurance Scheme Target Olympic Podium Scheme
Topics
NASA Space Missions
NASA Mercury-Redstone 3 (Freedom 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Redstone 4 (Liberty Bell 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 6 (Friendship 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 7 (Aurora 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 8 (Sigma 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 9 (Faith 7) Mission NASA Gemini 3 Mission NASA Gemini 4 Mission NASA Gemini 5 Mission NASA Gemini 7 Mission NASA Gemini 8 Mission NASA Gemini 9 Mission NASA Gemini 10 Mission NASA Gemini 11 Mission NASA Gemini 12 Mission NASA Apollo 1 (AS‑204) Mission NASA Apollo 7 Mission NASA Apollo 8 Mission NASA Apollo 9 Mission NASA Apollo 10 Mission NASA Apollo 11 Mission NASA Apollo 12 Mission NASA Apollo 13 Mission NASA Apollo 14 Mission NASA Apollo 15 Mission NASA Apollo 16 Mission NASA Apollo 17 Mission NASA Skylab Orbital Workshop Mission NASA Skylab 2 Mission NASA Skylab 3 Mission NASA Skylab 4 Mission NASA Apollo–Soyuz Test Project Mission NASA STS‑1 Columbia Mission NASA STS‑3 Columbia Mission NASA STS‑7 Challenger Mission NASA STS‑8 Challenger Mission NASA STS‑41B Challenger Mission NASA STS‑41G Discovery (1st female EVA) Mission NASA STS‑51L Challenger (accident) Mission NASA STS‑26 Discovery (Return‑to‑Flight) Mission NASA STS‑31 Discovery (Hubble Launch) Mission NASA STS‑49 Endeavour (first capture EVA) Mission NASA STS‑61 Endeavour (Hubble Servicing 1) Mission NASA STS‑73 Columbia (microgravity) Mission NASA STS‑95 Discovery (John Glenn returns) Mission NASA STS‑107 Columbia (accident) Mission NASA STS‑114 Discovery (RTF‑2) Mission NASA STS‑120 Discovery (Node 2) Mission NASA STS‑125 Atlantis (Final Hubble Service) Mission NASA STS‑132 Atlantis Mission NASA STS‑135 Atlantis (Final Shuttle flight) Mission NASA Artemis I (Orion/ SLS‑1) Mission NASA Artemis II (Planned) Mission NASA Artemis III (Planned lunar landing) Mission NASA Mariner 4 Mission NASA Mariner 6 Mission NASA Mariner 7 Mission NASA Mariner 9 Mission NASA Viking 1 Orbiter/Lander Mission NASA Viking 2 Orbiter/Lander Mission NASA Mars Pathfinder & Sojourner Mission NASA Mars Global Surveyor Mission NASA 2001 Mars Odyssey Mission NASA Mars Exploration Rover – Spirit Mission NASA Mars Exploration Rover – Opportunity Mission NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Mission NASA Phoenix Mars Lander Mission NASA InSight Mars Lander Mission NASA Mars 2020 (Perseverance & Ingenuity) Mission NASA Mars Sample Return – SRL (planned) Mission NASA Pioneer 10 Mission NASA Pioneer 11 Mission NASA Voyager 1 Mission NASA Voyager 2 Mission NASA Galileo Jupiter Orbiter/Probe Mission NASA Cassini–Huygens Mission NASA New Horizons (Pluto & KBO) Mission NASA Juno Mission NASA Europa Clipper (planned) Mission NASA Parker Solar Probe Mission NASA Solar Orbiter (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA Surveyor 1 Mission NASA Lunar Orbiter 1 Mission NASA Lunar Prospector Mission NASA LCROSS Mission NASA LADEE Mission NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Mission NASA CAPSTONE Mission NASA VIPER Rover (planned) Mission NASA NEAR Shoemaker Mission NASA Deep Space 1 Mission NASA Stardust Mission NASA Genesis Mission NASA Deep Impact Mission NASA Dawn (Vesta/Ceres) Mission NASA OSIRIS‑REx Mission NASA Lucy Mission NASA DART Mission NASA Landsat‑1 (ERTS‑1) Mission NASA Landsat‑5 Mission NASA Landsat‑9 Mission NASA Terra Mission NASA Aqua Mission NASA Aura Mission NASA Suomi NPP Mission NASA Sentinel‑6 Michael Freilich Mission NASA ICESat‑2 Mission NASA GRACE‑FO Mission NASA SMAP Mission NASA GPM Core Observatory Mission NASA CALIPSO Mission NASA CloudSat Mission NASA NISAR (NASA‑ISRO) Mission NASA Explorer 1 Mission NASA COBE Mission NASA Compton Gamma Ray Observatory Mission NASA Hubble Space Telescope Mission NASA Chandra X‑ray Observatory Mission NASA Spitzer Space Telescope Mission NASA WISE Mission NASA Kepler Mission NASA TESS Mission NASA Fermi Gamma‑ray Space Telescope Mission NASA NICER Mission NASA IXPE Mission NASA Roman Space Telescope (planned) Mission NASA NuSTAR Mission NASA GALEX Mission NASA Swift Mission NASA SOHO (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA Cluster II (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA TIMED Mission NASA STEREO‑A/B Mission NASA MMS Mission NASA IRIS Mission NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory Mission NASA X‑37B OTV‑1 (USAF/NASA liaison) Mission NASA X‑59 QueSST Mission NASA Mars Helicopter Ingenuity Mission NASA Valkyrie R5 Robot Mission NASA Low‑Boom Flight Demo Mission NASA CRS‑1 Dragon Mission NASA CRS‑1 Cygnus Mission NASA Crew Dragon Demo‑2 Mission NASA Starliner OFT‑2 Mission NASA STS-2 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-4 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-5 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-6 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-41C (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-41D (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-51A (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-61C (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-26 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-27 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-29 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-30 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-32 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-34 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-38 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-45 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-60 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-70 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-71 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-73 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-88 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-92 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-97 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-99 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-100 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-104 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-106 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-110 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-112 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-115 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-116 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-117 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-118 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-120 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-122 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-123 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-126 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-130 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA Vanguard 1 Mission NASA Transit 1B Mission NASA Echo 1 Mission NASA Telstar 1 Mission NASA Syncom 3 Mission NASA ATS‑6 Mission NASA Skynet Mission NASA Nimbus‑1 Mission NASA Nimbus‑7 Mission NASA ERS-1 Mission NASA SeaSat Mission NASA QuikSCAT Mission NASA Jason‑1 Mission NASA Jason‑3 Mission NASA ICESat Mission NASA Earth Observing‑1 Mission NASA Orbiting Carbon Observatory‑2 Mission NASA CYGNSS Mission NASA PACE Mission NASA TRMM Mission NASA Terrestrial Planet Finder (cxl) Mission NASA Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) Mission NASA Explorer 33 Mission NASA Voyager Interstellar Mission Mission NASA Helios‑A Mission NASA Helios‑B Mission NASA ISEE‑3 (ICE) Mission NASA ACE Mission NASA DSCOVR Mission NASA IBEX Mission NASA Solar Orbiter Heliospheric Imager Mission NASA SAGE‑III ISS Mission NASA SPACE Telescope Imaging Spectrograph Mission NASA ARIEL (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA OSAM‑1 (Restore‑L) Mission NASA Dragonfly (Titan rotorcraft) Mission NASA VERITAS (Venus orbiter) Mission NASA DAVINCI (Venus probe) Mission NASA SPHEREx Mission NASA MAGGIE (Mars Geophysical) Mission NASA CLPS – Peregrine Mission NASA CLPS – VIPER Delivery Mission NASA CAPSTONE Mission NASA Gateway (HALO / PPE) Mission NASA Mars Telecommunication Orbiter (cxl) Mission NASA Mars Polar Lander (MPL) Mission NASA Mars Climate Orbiter Mission NASA Pathfinder Mission Mission NASA SLS Block 1B (Exploration Upper Stage) Mission NASA Orion Crew Module Mission NASA Commercial LEO Destinations – Axiom Station Mission NASA ISS Expedition 1 Mission NASA ISS Expedition 70 Mission NASA CRS‑11 (Dragon) Mission NASA CRS‑21 (Dragon 2) Mission NASA Snoopy CubeSat Mission
Home / IAS Preparation / Application of Statistical Techniques

Application of Statistical Techniques: All You Need To Know For UPSC!

Download As PDF
IMPORTANT LINKS
Agriculture Notes For UPSC Public Administration UPSC Notes Modern History Books For UPSC Overseas Citizen Of India Caste System & Panchayati Raj Godavari River Federalism Indira Point New Development Bank Battle Of Sinhagad Sankalp And Strive Schemes Digital India High Yielding Varieties Economic Growth Development League Of Nations Ease Of Doing Business Mid Day Meal Scheme Wildlife Protection Act 1972 UPSC Notes International Union Conservation Nature

Psychologists use many statistical techniques to analyze data from research studies. Statistics help psychologists understand results and make conclusions. Statistical techniques allow psychology to be a real science. They help determine if research findings could be due to chance or mean something important. This article discusses some common statistical techniques used and why they are important for research in psychology.

This article is significant for students who want to do their best in the UPSC CSE Exam. If you want to study even better for the exam, consider joining UPSC Coaching. 

Statistical Methods And Applications

Let us read about statistical methods and applications.

Descriptive Statistics

One important type of statistic is descriptive statistics. These statistics just describe general features of the data, like averages and ranges. They include things like means, medians, modes, ranges, percentages, and standard deviations. Descriptive statistics help summarize large amounts of data in a clear, simple way.

Correlations

Correlations measure relationships between two variables. A correlation coefficient between -1 and 1 shows how closely tied variables are. Positive values show variables increasing together. Negative values mean as one goes up, the other goes down. Correlations do not prove cause but can reveal variable connections for further study.

T-Tests

T-tests compare means between two groups to see if they are significantly different from each other. Psychologists may use t-tests to compare men and women on a trait or treatment vs control groups. They help determine if any group differences seen are likely "real" based on the study sample size.

ANOVA

Analysis of variance (ANOVA) compares the means of more than two groups at once in an experiment. This evaluates overall differences between groups caused by manipulated factors. ANOVAs help determine if different treatments have real effects over multiple groups at the same time.

Regressions

Regression analyses measure predictive relationships between variables. They show how well one variable can predict scores on another variable. Psychologists use regression to understand what factors best predict things like life satisfaction or academic success. Regressions provide predictive models.

Read the article on the Theories of Intelligence!

FREEMentorship Program by
Ravi Kapoor, Ex-IRS
UPSC Exam-Hacker, Author, Super Mentor, MA
100+ Success Stories
Key Highlights
Achieve your Goal with our mentorship program, offering regular guidance and effective exam strategies.
Cultivate a focused mindset for exam success through our mentorship program.
2 Lakh+ Students Mentored Get
Get Free Mentorship Now
UPSC Beginners Program

Get UPSC Beginners Program SuperCoaching @ just

₹50000

Claim for free
Want to know more about this pass ?
Explore SuperCoaching

Application Of Statistical Techniques In Psychology

Let us read about the application of statistical techniques in psychology.

Statistical Significance

A key concept is statistical significance. This means the result seen is very unlikely to happen by chance alone, given the sample size. Psychologists decide on significance levels like p < .05 before analysis to know if any found effects "count." This helps rule out insignificant results due to chance sampling errors.

Sample Size Matters

Sufficient sample sizes are needed to get meaningful, reliable results from inferential statistics like t-tests or regressions. With too few participants, small true effects may not reach significance just due to chance. Psychologists plan sample sizes using power analysis calculations based on what effects they aim to detect.

Assumptions

Most tests have statistical assumptions that must be met, like normality, independence, and homogeneity, for valid use and interpretation. Psychologists analyze data attributes and test assumptions before analysis. Transformations or non-parametric tests are used if assumptions are violated to avoid inaccurate conclusions.

Also Read About Methods of Psychology!

Objectively Reporting

It is unethical to cherry-pick only significant results or analyze data in multiple ways to get desired outcomes. Psychologists report all findings objectively, including non-significant results. Exact p-values are provided to evaluate evidence strength without overclaiming weak effects as very strong. Proper statistical practices maintain integrity.

Avoiding Bias

To maximize objectivity, researchers should finalize plans and determine which analyses to run before looking at results wherever possible. Analysis should not involve researcher subjectivity, like interpreting ambiguous patterns in data themselves. Statistics help provide a clear, impartial lens on results for accurate understanding free of human biases.

Also read here about the Quasi experimental design here!

Application Of Statistical Techniques Examples

Let us read about application of statistical techniques examples. 

Memory Research

Psychologists studied how long lists versus short lists impact recall memory. Participants learned lists of words and then recalled as many as possible. T-tests compared recall percentages of long versus shortlists across subjects. Results revealed significantly better recall from shortlists. This provided evidence on optimal lengths for learning.

Treatment Effectiveness

To test a therapy, 100 patients receiving it were compared to 100 not receiving it via an ANOVA. Scores on depression scales were compared before and after between groups. Results showed significant group and time interaction, suggesting the treatment was effective at reducing depression over time compared to no treatment.

Correlations and Prediction

In a large internet study, correlations showed extraversion strongly linked to a number of social media friends. A regression then found extraversion predicted 33% of the variability in the number of friends after accounting for other variables like age and gender. This provided insight into the influence of personality on social behaviors online.

Cross-cultural Comparisons

One hundred Americans and one hundred Indians completed surveys measuring individualism. An independent t-test compared country means. Americans scored significantly higher, supporting individualism as more dominant in American than Indian culture based on a representative sample analyzed properly according to test requirements.

Also read here about the meaning of psychology!

Application Of Statistical Techniques Importance

Let us read about application of statistical techniques importance.

Objective Understanding

Statistics help psychology stay scientific by basing conclusions firmly on real empirical evidence from data, not just theories, assumptions, or impressions. This anchors the field as an objective, facts-based social science. Careful statistics evaluate theories, methods, and interventions, keeping psychologists accountable.

Informing Other Fields

When statistics confirm psychology findings, this bolsters confidence in applying them to other domains. For example, therapies shown effective with statistics may be implemented in healthcare. Also, validated psychological principles can shape education practices, legal decisions, work environments, and more through data-supported policies.

Continued Progress

Ongoing use of sound statistical practices furthers scientific advancement by facilitating evaluation and iterations of ideas. For example, null results properly reported still aid progress by showing theories needing revision. Also, significant findings spark new questions, driving additional research forward. Statistics provide key feedback for continuous improvement in psychological understanding.

Individual Benefits

Reliable evidence from sound statistics gives people the confidence to apply psychology where it genuinely helps, like disclosing risk factors, preventions, or treatments supported by real data. Statistical validation reassures the field serves individuals through knowledge, not just theories. The aim is to progress what psychology offers people.

Know more about Research Ethics!

Conclusion

In summary, the application of statistical techniques plays an indispensable role in psychological research and knowledge. Properly conducted analyses allow objective, fact-based evaluation of ideas, methods, and conclusions. They help determine causal relationships, make strong predictions, compare groups, and assess the success of interventions. Relying on solid statistics maintains high research quality and integrity within psychology. This supports psychology as an applied social science devoted to comprehensively understanding the human experience and promoting well-being through continued empirical progress. Statistics preserve psychology's scientific aims and benefits to both human understanding and practical human affairs.

Know more about Historical Research!

To learn more about UPSC and UGC NET subjects, you should get the Testbook App!

More Articles for IAS Preparation

Application of Statistical Techniques FAQs

Statistical techniques in psychology research are used to analyze and interpret data. They help researchers draw meaningful conclusions from experiments or surveys, identify patterns, and determine the significance of findings. Essentially, they enable psychologists to make evidence-based conclusions about human behavior and mental processes.

Certainly! Some common statistical techniques in psychology include t-tests, ANOVA (Analysis of Variance), regression analysis, correlation analysis, and chi-square tests. These methods are used to examine relationships between variables, compare groups, and test hypotheses.

Understanding statistical techniques is crucial because it allows psychologists to make informed decisions based on data. It helps researchers avoid drawing incorrect or biased conclusions and ensures that their findings are valid and reliable. Without statistical knowledge, it's challenging to evaluate the quality of research or contribute meaningfully to the field.

Researchers often encounter challenges such as selecting the appropriate statistical test for their data, handling missing data, ensuring the assumptions of statistical tests are met, and interpreting complex results. Additionally, communicating statistical findings to a non-expert audience can be challenging but is important for disseminating research effectively.

To enhance your statistical skills in psychology, consider taking courses in statistics and research methods. Additionally, practice using statistical software like SPSS or R and seek guidance from mentors or professors. Reading psychology research papers that use statistical techniques and discussing them with peers can also be valuable for learning and improvement.
Report An Error
Exams Tests Super Practice