This chapter reviews basic concepts and terminology with respect to research design and statistics. Different types of variables that can be analyzed are described as well as the scales of measurement with which these variables are assessed. The chapter reviews the differences between nonexperimental and experimental research and the differences between descriptive and inferential analyses. Finally, basic concepts in hypothesis testing are presented. After completing this chapter, you should be familiar with the fundamental issues and terminology of data analysis. You will be prepared to begin learning about SAS in subsequent chapters.
