Beyond statistical testing: individual differences and the contentand accuracy of mental representations of space

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Beyond statistical testing: individual differences and the contentand accuracy of mental representations of space

Schinazi, VR; (2006) Beyond statistical testing: individual differences and the contentand accuracy of mental representations of space. (CASA Working Papers ). Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis (UCL), UCL (University College London), Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis (UCL): London, UK. Green open access

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Abstract

The article uses data from two experiments on the content and accuracy of mentalrepresentations of space by the blind and visually impaired in order expose some of theshortcomings of typical statistical testing and propose an individual differences approach to theanalysis of data. It begins with a discussion of some of the problems associated with the strictclassification and eventual comparison of individuals between groups. The individual differencesapproach is then presented and the concepts of ability and present competence are explored alongwith the importance of detailed participant description. Examples from the two experiments areused to demonstrate how null hypothesis significance testing can be complemented with effect sizeestimates, box-plots and ranking techniques. Throughout the article we are reminded of the need toadopt mutually supportive techniques to account for the heterogeneity of experience and skillsbetween participants. The article uses data from two experiments on the content and accuracy of mentalrepresentations of space by the blind and visually impaired in order expose some of theshortcomings of typical statistical testing and propose an individual differences approach to theanalysis of data. It begins with a discussion of some of the problems associated with the strictclassification and eventual comparison of individuals between groups. The individual differencesapproach is then presented and the concepts of ability and present competence are explored alongwith the importance of detailed participant description. Examples from the two experiments areused to demonstrate how null hypothesis significance testing can be complemented with effect sizeestimates, box-plots and ranking techniques. Throughout the article we are reminded of the need toadopt mutually supportive techniques to account for the heterogeneity of experience and skillsbetween participants.

Type:	Working / discussion paper
Title:	Beyond statistical testing: individual differences and the contentand accuracy of mental representations of space
Open access status:	An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
Additional information:	Imported via OAI, 7:29:01 16th May 2007
UCL classification:	UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of the Built Environment UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of the Built Environment > Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis
URI:	https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/3326