Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the term given to the analysis of data that helps describe, show, or summarize data in a meaningful way?
What is the term given to the analysis of data that helps describe, show, or summarize data in a meaningful way?
Descriptive statistics
What are properties of samples, such as the mean or standard deviation, called?
What are properties of samples, such as the mean or standard deviation, called?
Statistics
What type of statistics allows us to make generalizations about populations from samples?
What type of statistics allows us to make generalizations about populations from samples?
Inferential statistics
What is the process called that aims to ensure the sample accurately represents the population?
What is the process called that aims to ensure the sample accurately represents the population?
Why are descriptive statistics important in presenting data?
Why are descriptive statistics important in presenting data?
What does inferential statistics arise from due to the nature of sampling?
What does inferential statistics arise from due to the nature of sampling?
What is one limitation of descriptive statistics?
What is one limitation of descriptive statistics?
What is one limitation of inferential statistics?
What is one limitation of inferential statistics?
What is an independent variable?
What is an independent variable?
What is a dependent variable?
What is a dependent variable?
Explain one limitation of using descriptive statistics in generalizing results.
Explain one limitation of using descriptive statistics in generalizing results.
Why can inferential statistics lead to uncertainties in the calculated values?
Why can inferential statistics lead to uncertainties in the calculated values?
What are measures of central tendency in descriptive statistics?
What are measures of central tendency in descriptive statistics?
What are measures of spread in descriptive statistics?
What are measures of spread in descriptive statistics?
What is the difference between a population and a sample in inferential statistics?
What is the difference between a population and a sample in inferential statistics?
What are the similarities between descriptive and inferential statistics?
What are the similarities between descriptive and inferential statistics?
What is a parameter in statistics related to descriptive statistics?
What is a parameter in statistics related to descriptive statistics?
What is a sample used for in inferential statistics?
What is a sample used for in inferential statistics?
What are examples of Interval Variables?
What are examples of Interval Variables?
List examples of Ratio Variables.
List examples of Ratio Variables.
What are some data collection methods mentioned in the text?
What are some data collection methods mentioned in the text?
Name a type of Probability Sampling technique.
Name a type of Probability Sampling technique.
What is a type of Non-Probability Sampling?
What is a type of Non-Probability Sampling?
What is a categorical variable also known as?
What is a categorical variable also known as?
How are continuous variables defined?
How are continuous variables defined?
What distinguishes interval variables from ratio variables?
What distinguishes interval variables from ratio variables?
Explain why temperature measured in degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit is not a ratio variable.
Explain why temperature measured in degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit is not a ratio variable.
What does a ratio variable have that an interval variable does not?
What does a ratio variable have that an interval variable does not?
Can you give an example of a ratio variable?
Can you give an example of a ratio variable?
Study Notes
Properties of Samples and Statistics
- Properties of samples, such as the mean or standard deviation, are called statistics, not parameters.
- Parameters are properties of populations, such as the mean or standard deviation.
Descriptive Statistics
- Descriptive statistics analyze data to describe, show, or summarize it in a meaningful way.
- Descriptive statistics help identify patterns in data, but do not allow for conclusions beyond the data or hypotheses.
- They are used to present data in a more meaningful way, enabling simpler interpretation.
- Examples of descriptive statistics include measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode) and measures of spread (range, quartiles, variance, standard deviation).
Inferential Statistics
- Inferential statistics use samples to make generalizations about the populations from which the samples were drawn.
- It is essential for the sample to accurately represent the population.
- Sampling strategy is critical to achieve this.
- Inferential statistics arise from sampling error, which naturally occurs when sampling.
Limitations of Descriptive and Inferential Statistics
- Descriptive statistics are limited to making summations about the data actually measured, and cannot be used to generalize to other people or objects.
- Inferential statistics have two main limitations:
- Uncertainty about the values calculated due to incomplete measurement of the population.
- Educated guesses required to run inferential tests, which introduce uncertainty.
Types of Variables
- Independent variable: a variable being manipulated in an experiment (also called experimental or predictor variable).
- Dependent variable: the result of an experiment (also called outcome variable).
- Types of continuous variables:
- Interval variables: can be measured, but have no intrinsic zero (e.g., exam score, income, time, generation age range).
- Ratio variables: interval variables with an intrinsic zero (e.g., height, mass, distance, weight).
Data Collection and Sampling
- Data collection methods:
- Telephone survey
- Mailed questionnaire
- Personal interview
- Sampling techniques:
- Probability sampling:
- Simple random sampling
- Stratified random sampling
- Cluster sampling
- Systematic sampling
- Non-probability sampling:
- Convenient sampling
- Snowball sampling
- Quota sampling
- Purposive sampling
Categorical and Continuous Variables
- Categorical variable (also called qualitative variable): a variable with a limited, usually fixed, number of categories (e.g., nominal, ordinal, dichotomous).
- Continuous variable (also called quantitative variable): a variable whose value is obtained by measuring along a continuum, with a numerical value (e.g., temperature, height, mass).
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Explore the fundamental concepts of statistics including properties of samples, descriptive statistics, and limitations of reaching conclusions beyond analyzed data. Test your knowledge with this quiz.
