Scribd
Upload
78 views4 pages

1.1 Intro Notes MAT 1260

This document introduces key concepts in statistics: 1) It defines statistics as the science of collecting, organizing, and analyzing data to draw conclusions. Data can be numerical or non-numerical. 2) It explains the process of statistics involves determining the population and sample, collecting data, describing data through statistics and graphs, and performing inference to generalize to the population. 3) It distinguishes between qualitative and quantitative variables, and between discrete and continuous quantitative variables. Qualitative variables classify attributes, while quantitative provide numerical measures.

Uploaded by

esch9150
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
78 views4 pages

1.1 Intro Notes MAT 1260

This document introduces key concepts in statistics: 1) It defines statistics as the science of collecting, organizing, and analyzing data to draw conclusions. Data can be numerical or non-numerical. 2) It explains the process of statistics involves determining the population and sample, collecting data, describing data through statistics and graphs, and performing inference to generalize to the population. 3) It distinguishes between qualitative and quantitative variables, and between discrete and continuous quantitative variables. Qualitative variables classify attributes, while quantitative provide numerical measures.

Uploaded by

esch9150
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

Section 1.

1 – Introduction to the Practice of Statistics

Section Objectives
1. Define statistics
2. Explain the process of statistics
3. Distinguish between qualitative and quantitative variables
4. Distinguish between discrete and continuous variables
5. Determine the level of measurement of a variable

How is statistics used in everyday life?

Define Statistics
Statistics and Data

Statistics is the science of collecting, organizing/summarizing, and analyzing information to


draw conclusions or answer questions.

Data is a fact used to draw a conclusion.


 Numerical Data
 Non-numerical Data

Example 1.
You are walking down the street and notice a person walking in front of you drops $100.
Nobody seems to notice except you.
Suppose you want to use this scenario to determine the morality of students at our campus by
determining the percent of students who would return the money.
In small groups, discuss how you could gather the necessary data to determine the answer to
this question.

Sanborn MAT 1260 Section 1.1 Page 1 of 4


Explain the Process of Statistics
The Process of Statistics

 The entire group of individuals to be


studied is called the population.

 A sample is a subset of the population


that is being studied.

 An individual is a person or object that is


a member of the population being
studied.

Example 1 Continued.
Suppose 50 students were sampled and asked the question about the $100. Suppose 11
students said they would keep the money.

 How could we present this result?

 What conclusions can we draw from the sample to the population?

Sanborn MAT 1260 Section 1.1 Page 2 of 4


Definitions

 A statistic is a numerical summary based on a sample.

 Descriptive statistics consist of organizing and summarizing data. Descriptive statistics


describe data through numerical summaries, tables, and graphs.

 Inferential statistics uses methods that take results from a sample, extends them to the
population, and measures the reliability of the result.

 A parameter is a numerical summary of a population.

Example 2. Parameter versus Statistic

a) Suppose the percentage of all students on b) Suppose a sample of 100 students is


your campus who own a car is 48.2%. This obtained, and from this sample we find
value represents a ________________ that 46% own a car. This value represents
because it is a numerical summary a ____________ because it is a numerical
___________________________. summary ___________________________.

The Process of Statistics

1. Identify the research objective.


The question must clearly identify the population.

2. Collect the data needed to answer the question(s) posed in #1.


Typically look at a sample.
Data collection (Sections 1.2 – 1.6)

3. Describe the data.


Descriptive statistics (Chapters 2 through 4)

4. Perform inference.
Measuring reliability (Chapters 5 through 8)
Inferential techniques (Chapters 9 through 15)

Sanborn MAT 1260 Section 1.1 Page 3 of 4


Distinguish between Qualitative and Quantitative Variables
Variables

Variables: the characteristics of the individuals within the population

• Qualitative (categorical) Variables: classification of individuals based on some


attribute or characteristic
• Quantitative Variables: provide numerical measures of individuals
• A Discrete Variable has a countable (finite) number of possible values. COUNT
• A Continuous Variable has an infinite number of possible values that are not
countable. MEASURE

Example 3. Qualitative or Quantitative? Discrete or Continuous?


Determine if each variable is qualitative or quantitative. If quantitative, determine if it is
discrete or continuous.

a) Temperature outside

b) Eye color

c) Number of days worked this week

d) Zip code

e) The number of “heads” after flipping a coin 5 times

f) The number of cars at Chick-Fil-A drive-thru from noon – 1 pm

g) The distance a car can travel on one tank of gas

Practice. Getting to Know Our Variables Classwork


Sanborn MAT 1260 Section 1.1 Page 4 of 4

You might also like