Statistics definitions Flashcards
(42 cards)
Descriptive statistics
when data is summarised and presented
Inferential statistics
When statisicians try to predict or forecast based on responses from a small group
Explanatory variable
Variable whose effect on response we study (independent)
Response variable
Variable whose changes we wish to study (dependent)
Data set
all observations of a particular variable for the elements of the sample, a set of facts or values
Categorical Data
Questions that cannot be answered with numbers, qualitative
Numerical Data
Questions that provide numerical data, quantitative
Ordinal Data
Categorical data that can be ordered ex: grades (H1,H2)
Nominal Data
Categorical data that cannot be ordered(Hair colour)
Continuous Data
Numerical Data that can be one of an infinite number of values (EX: Rainfall measurements)
Discrete Data
Numbers or measurements that can only have certain values (EX: shoes size)
Univariate data
data with one value
Bi variate data
data with two paired values
Observational studies
Researchers collects information but does not influence events, includes case control studies
A designed experiment
Researchers apply some treatment to a group then observe the effect it has on them, a control group can be used
Experiment
A controlled study in which the researcher understands cause- and effect relationships
population
complete set of data under consideration
census
The collection of data of the whole population
sample
A selected small group from the population
Statistical interference
Conclusions drawn from a sample are applied to the whole population
Parameter
A number that describes a population characteristic
Bias
Anything that distorts the data so it will not give a representative sample
Causes of bias
Too small sample
Low response rates
Error in recording data
Failing to identify correct population
Name five sampling methods
simple random sample Stratified random sampling Systematic Sampling Quota Sampling Cluster Sampling