Statistics – Chapters 1–3
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, What is statistics? The science of collecting, organizing, summarizing, and analyzing information to
draw conclusions or answer questions; providing a measure of confidence in any
conclusions
What's data? A fact used to draw a conclusion or make a decision
What does the term 'anecdotal' refer to? The idea that the information being conveyed is based on casual observation and
not scientific research
What's the difference between a population and a sample? A population is the entire group to be studied, while the sample is a subset of the
population that's being studied
What's a statistic? A numerical summary of a sample
What's a parameter? A numerical summary of a population
What's the difference between a statistic and a parameter? You use a statistic to determine a parameter
What are descriptive statistics? Statistics that organize and summarize data; through summaries, tables, and
graphs - doesn't draw conclusions
What are inferential statistics? Statistics that use methods to take a result from a sample, extend it to the
population, and measure the reliability of the result; draws conclusions (Melson
website - advertisers use their information)
One goal of inferential statistics is to use statistics to Parameters
estimate ___:
What is the 'process of statistics'? 1. Identify the research objective: determine the questions to be answered, question
must clearly ID population to be studied
2. Collect data needed to answer questions: look at samples
3. Describe the data: descriptive statistics are used to obtain an overview of the
data and determine the type of statistical methods the researcher should use
4. Perform inference: draw conclusions from the information
What are variables? Characteristics of the individuals within the population