error variance

the element of variability in a score that is produced by extraneous factors, such as measurement imprecision, and is not attributable to the independent variable or other controlled experimental manipulations. Error variance usually indicates how much random fluctuation is expected within scores and often forms part of the denominator of test statistics, such as the F ratio in an analysis of variance. Also called residual error; residual variance; unexplained variance.

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Psychology term of the day

December 7th 2024

adequate sample

a sample that sufficiently represents the larger population from which it was drawn in terms of size, being large enough to provide satisfactory precision by minimizing the possibility of chance affecting the data obtained.