standard error

(symbol: SE) a quantification of the inherent inaccuracy of a calculated population value that is attributable to random fluctuations within the sample data upon which it is based. It is expressed as the standard deviation of the sampling distribution. For example, the sample mean is the usual estimator of a population mean, yet different samples drawn from that same population will yield different values for the mean. Thus, to determine how much sample variability exists, the standard error of the mean may be obtained by taking the standard deviation of all of the means over all of the samples taken. Standard error is expressed in units given in the same scale of measurement that was used for the sample data (e.g., for a set of means that are given in weight the standard error unit is also a weight).

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Psychology term of the day

December 26th 2024

thought insertion

a delusion in which the individual believes that thoughts have been irresistibly forced into his or her mind and ascribes these thoughts to outside sources.