Case Study

Based on the provided context, analyze the statistical nature of Participant 87's score relative to the sample. Justify whether this score should automatically be deleted from the dataset, considering what the score might represent.

Case context: Dr. Smith is analyzing Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) data from a study on college freshman adjustment. Out of 200 participants, 199 report very low scores, indicating high functioning and happiness. Participant 87, however, reports a very high BDI score.

Question: Based on the provided context, analyze the statistical nature of Participant 87's score relative to the sample. Justify whether this score should automatically be deleted from the dataset, considering what the score might represent.

Sample answer: Participant 87's score represents an outlier because it is a truly extreme value relative to the scores of the otherwise happy and high-functioning peers in the sample. The score should not be automatically deleted. While it is an outlier, it might represent a genuine case of a clinically depressed individual within the population rather than a measurement error. The researcher must analyze whether it is a valid measurement before deciding how to handle it in statistical analyses.

Key points:

  • Diagnoses Participant 87's score as an outlier.
  • Explains the score is an outlier because it is extreme compared to the high-functioning peers.
  • Justifies that outliers should not be automatically deleted.
  • Analyzes that the extreme score could represent a genuine instance of clinical depression.

Rubric: Full credit is given for analyzing the score as an outlier due to its extremity relative to the group and justifying that it should not be automatically deleted because it may represent a valid, though rare, clinical state.

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Updated 2026-05-27

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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU

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