Introduction and basic definitions Flashcards
What is Statistics?
A science involving the extraction of information from numerical data obtained during an experiment or from a sample
What does method of practice does Statistics Involve?
- The DESIGN of the experiment or sampling procedure,
- collection of the data,
- ANALYSIS of data,
- and making INFERENCES (statements) about larger groups based on data collected.
What is Population?
The entire group of individuals(subjects) about which the researcher wants info.
What are 2 examples of Population?
- All US citizens
2. All female students at the university
What is Parameter?
Some Characteristics of the population that the researcher wants to measure.
What are some examples of Parameter?
- Proportion(part) of us citizens who voted in the last presidential election
- Average (mean) height of all male students at this university
- Proportion (Part) of all sections of all courses taught by part time faculty
What does Proportion mean?
A part of the whole
What does Average mean?
A number expressing the central value in a set of data
In relation to Parameters, the Average or Mean of a population is indicated by what?
the Greek letter μ (mu). Looks like backward u or y
In relation to Parameters, the Proportion (part) of a population that are “successes” is often indicated by what?
The greek letter π (PI)
What is Sample?
A subset of the population that we examine in order to gather information
What is an example of a Sample?
if population of university were all male students, then male students in a certain class would be a sample.
What is a Statistic?
A descriptive measure, usually computed from a sample, which can be expressed or evaluated numerically.
What is an example of Statistic?
if population was all male students, and male students in a class is the sample, then the AVERAGE HEIGHT of the male students would be a Statistic.
In relation to Statistic, What is the Average or mean indicated by?
x̄ (X bar)
In relation to Statistic the Proportion (part) of a sample that are successes are indicated by what?
p̂ (P-hat)
What is an Inference?
A statement about a population based on the data collected in a sample.
Example of an Inference
Using a sample statistic (like the average height in a class (x̄ )) to ESTIMATE a population parameter (an inferred answer for the whole group (μ ))
What is Distribution?
A Listing of all possible values that a characteristic can take and the number (or percentage) of times.
What is a major component of Statistics?
Describing the Distribution of a set of data.
What is one example of Distribution?
- consider gender of a student. students are either male or female.and if you count the number of each that’s the distribution.
What are the two Branches of statistics you deal with usually?
Descriptive, and Inferential Statistics.
What is Descriptive Statistics?
NUMERICAL AND GRAPHICAL techniques for describing characteristics of a population and comparing characteristics among populations
What is Inferential Statistics?
where you use data and statistics computed from a sample to make inferences (statements) about a population.