Course: Research Methods
Expected frequency is a statistical term that refers to the number of times an outcome is predicted to occur in an experiment or survey.
What is Expected Frequency?
Before we dive into details, let’s get clear on what “expected frequency” really means. In a nutshell, it is a term we use in statistics to describe how many times we predict something will happen. If you flip a coin, for instance, the expected frequency of getting heads is 50% because there are two equally likely outcomes – heads or tails.
Importance of Expected Frequency
Now, you might wonder why we need to know about this. Above all, understanding this is crucial in predicting outcomes and making decisions in many areas, including social research.
Social researchers use expected frequency to predict patterns in society, like how many people will vote in an election or the likelihood of a person committing a crime given certain factors.
Criminal Justice Example
In criminal justice, let’s say a researcher wants to determine the expected frequency of petty theft in a particular city. They might consider factors such as population size, poverty levels, and law enforcement presence. These factors help them establish an expected value – a prediction of how often petty theft might occur.
Social Work Scenario
In the world of social work, it could be used to estimate the need for social services in a community. For instance, if a certain percentage of the population falls below the poverty line, a social worker could use this information to predict the expected demand for food assistance programs.
Political Science Context
In political science, it is used when predicting voter turnout. For instance, if a poll shows that 60% of the population plans to vote for a specific candidate, the expected frequency of votes for that candidate is 60% of the total number of voters.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the concept of expected frequency is a statistical tool that helps predict the likely outcome of an event. Whether in criminal justice, social work, or political science, it provides valuable predictions that can inform decision-making processes and policies.