1. POLI 30:
MOCK MIDTERM EXAM
Spring 2008

2. Define the mean, median, and mode. When will they all
have the same values? How do they differ when the
distribution of a variable is skewed to the right?
What does the standard deviation indicate? Give a hypothetical example.
What is a “standard score”? What uses might it have?
Define three measures of dispersion.
Explain the idea of “dependent” and “independent” and “intervening” variables.

3. Mock Midterm (continued)
What are the special properties of the arithmetic mean?
What is the formula for computation of the standard deviation?
Find the median and compute the mean and standard deviation (for a given set of numbers—as in Homework #1).
What is chi-square? Define in words and give computing formula.

4. Mock Midterm (continued: Readings)
How and why does Peter Smith select levels of measurement for his study of democracy in Latin America? Does he use more than one level?
Does Smith observe any relationship between “independent” and “dependent” variables? If so, where and what?
3. How does Roy Licklider select levels of measurement for his analysis of civil wars?
4. Do you think Licklider’s indicators are valid and reliable? Why or why not?