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Questions and Answers
What was the percent of children aged 5-9 in Botswana still at school in 1991?
What was the percent of children aged 5-9 in Botswana still at school in 1991?
- 42.7
- 49.0 (correct)
- 50.5
- 64.7
Which of the following is not a cause of misuse of statistics?
Which of the following is not a cause of misuse of statistics?
- Inappropriate sampling methods
- Selective reporting
- Bias of the researcher
- Consulting a statistician (correct)
Which of the following represents descriptive statistics?
Which of the following represents descriptive statistics?
- Evaluation of causal relationships
- Summarization of population data (correct)
- Prediction of future trends based on current data
- Testing a hypothesis for generalizability
In the context of statistics, which of the following is a tool used for graphical representation?
In the context of statistics, which of the following is a tool used for graphical representation?
What is the primary goal of inferential statistics?
What is the primary goal of inferential statistics?
Which of the following data types is frequency and percentage most useful for describing?
Which of the following data types is frequency and percentage most useful for describing?
Choosing the wrong method for summarizing data can lead to what issue?
Choosing the wrong method for summarizing data can lead to what issue?
Which method is recommended to reduce statistical misuse before conducting surveys?
Which method is recommended to reduce statistical misuse before conducting surveys?
What is the origin of the term 'statistics'?
What is the origin of the term 'statistics'?
Who coined the term 'statistics'?
Who coined the term 'statistics'?
Which of the following best describes statistics as a field of study?
Which of the following best describes statistics as a field of study?
In which century did the term statistics begin to be associated with data interpretation and making inferences?
In which century did the term statistics begin to be associated with data interpretation and making inferences?
What does the term 'statistic' refer to in its singular form?
What does the term 'statistic' refer to in its singular form?
Which of the following is NOT a common way to present numerical facts?
Which of the following is NOT a common way to present numerical facts?
During which years did the percentage of children aged 5-9 in Botswana significantly improve in school attendance according to the example?
During which years did the percentage of children aged 5-9 in Botswana significantly improve in school attendance according to the example?
Why did rulers and kings in the past use statistics?
Why did rulers and kings in the past use statistics?
What is the primary advantage of using the median over the mean when analyzing skewed data?
What is the primary advantage of using the median over the mean when analyzing skewed data?
Which statistical measure is used to describe the spread of the data?
Which statistical measure is used to describe the spread of the data?
In a symmetrical data distribution, which equality holds true?
In a symmetrical data distribution, which equality holds true?
When reporting data that is skewed, which measures should be used?
When reporting data that is skewed, which measures should be used?
Which of the following describes a parameter in statistics?
Which of the following describes a parameter in statistics?
In the provided examples, which represents a sample statistic?
In the provided examples, which represents a sample statistic?
What does the range of a dataset measure?
What does the range of a dataset measure?
What is a sampling unit in the context of the described exercise?
What is a sampling unit in the context of the described exercise?
What is the main purpose of inferential statistics?
What is the main purpose of inferential statistics?
Which of the following best describes a population in statistics?
Which of the following best describes a population in statistics?
What is a sample in statistical terms?
What is a sample in statistical terms?
How does a parameter differ from a statistic?
How does a parameter differ from a statistic?
What defines a variable in statistics?
What defines a variable in statistics?
Which of the following statements about raw data is correct?
Which of the following statements about raw data is correct?
What is the term for the different values that a variable can assume during observation?
What is the term for the different values that a variable can assume during observation?
Which option correctly describes a constant in statistical terms?
Which option correctly describes a constant in statistical terms?
Flashcards
Descriptive Statistics
Descriptive Statistics
Summarizes population data by numerically or graphically describing observations in a sample.
Misuse of Statistics
Misuse of Statistics
Inappropriate use of statistical methods, data collection, analysis, or conclusions.
Inferential Statistics
Inferential Statistics
Makes predictions or generalizations about a population based on sample data.
Graphical Displays
Graphical Displays
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Measures of Central Tendency
Measures of Central Tendency
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Measures of Variability
Measures of Variability
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Statistical Data
Statistical Data
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Sampling
Sampling
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Statistics (singular form)
Statistics (singular form)
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Statistics (field of study)
Statistics (field of study)
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Origin of Statistics
Origin of Statistics
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Early use of Statistics
Early use of Statistics
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Gottfried Achenwall
Gottfried Achenwall
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Presentation of Numerical Facts
Presentation of Numerical Facts
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Data
Data
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19th Century Statistics
19th Century Statistics
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Unit
Unit
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Population
Population
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Sample
Sample
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Variable
Variable
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Observation
Observation
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Raw Data
Raw Data
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Parameter
Parameter
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Statistic
Statistic
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Mean
Mean
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Median
Median
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Mode
Mode
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Range
Range
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IQ Range
IQ Range
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Standard Deviation
Standard Deviation
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Symmetrical Data
Symmetrical Data
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Skewed Data
Skewed Data
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Study Notes
Course Information
- Course: STA 111: Elementary Statistics
- Institution: University of Botswana
- Department: Department of Statistics
Chapter 1: Introductory Concepts of Statistics
1.1 What is Statistics? - History
- Origin of the term "statistics" is from Latin "status" or Italian "statista" or German "Statistik", referring to the political state or government.
- In the past, rulers used statistics for limited applications such as land, agriculture, commerce, populations, military potential, wealth, taxation, and government aspects.
- The German scholar Gottfried Achenwall coined the term statistics to refer to the "collection, processing, and use of data by the state."
- In the 19th century, the term "statistics" began to include collection, organizing, analysis, interpretation, and making inferences from sample data about the general population.
- A reference is provided: https://www.emathzone.com/tutorials/basic-statistics/history-of-statistics.html
1.2 Definition of Statistics
- Statistics has two definitions:
- Numerical information (data): In singular form, it is a number, numerical figure, or value.
- Field of study: The science of collecting, organizing, presenting, analyzing, and interpreting data to aid in effective decision-making.
1.3 Presentation of Numerical Facts
- Numerical facts can be presented using sentence form, table form, or graphical form.
- Example (presented as a sentence): In 1981 and 1991, the percentage of children aged 5-9 still at school in Botswana was 42.7% and 49.0% respectively. This improved significantly to 64.7% in 2001.
- Example (presented as a table): A table is presented showing the percent of children in Botswana aged 5-9 years still at school by census year (1981, 1991, 2001).
- Graphical representation example: a bar graph is provided illustrating these percentages.
1.4 Applications of Statistics
- Statistical data and methods are crucial in all fields of human endeavour (social sciences, politics, sports, health, accounting, business, management, history, law, life sciences, etc.).
- Knowing statistics is essential for acquiring knowledge and achieving success.
1.5 Misuse of Statistics
- Despite its strengths, statistics can be misused. Examples of misuse are found in Darrell Huff's "How to Lie with Statistics."
- Causes of misuse arise at various stages of statistical research, including:
- Inappropriate data collection methods (sampling).
- Use of unrepresentative subgroups in a study.
- Inappropriate data summarization methods.
- Incorrect analysis and inference techniques.
- Researcher bias
- Selective reporting or unjustified conclusions.
1.6 Types of Statistics
- Statistics is broadly categorized into Descriptive and Inferential statistics.
- Both types are important and use different methods or techniques to achieve different objectives.
1.6.1 Descriptive Statistics
- Summarizes population data by describing what is observed numerically or graphically in a sample.
- Descriptive statistics tools include
- Graphical displays.
- Measures of central tendency and variability (e.g., mean, standard deviation).
- Useful tools for categoric data (frequency, percentages)
1.6.2 Inferential Statistics
- Uses observed data to make statements about the larger population from which the sample was drawn.
- Includes:
- Hypothesis testing.
- Estimation of population characteristics.
1.7 Basic Statistical Concepts
- Unit: A member of a set of entities being studied (e.g., person, car, animal).
- Data: Collected through measurement or observation of unit characteristics.
- Population: The entire collection of individuals/objects relevant to a study.
- Sample: A subset of the population.
- Variable: A characteristic of a unit that can take on different values (e.g., shoe size, height, religion).
- Constant: A characteristic that has the same value for all units.
- Observation: The specific value/measurement of a variable for a particular unit.
- Raw Data: Numerical information collected in its original form, unprocessed.
- Example: The votes received by candidates in an election in Goodhope-Mabule, 15th August, 2015.
- Parameter: A numerical characteristic summarizing the data for the entire population (e.g., average age).
- Statistic: A numerical characteristic summarizing the data for the sample (e.g., average age of students in a sample).
- Symmetrical Data: Data that follows a normal distribution (mean, median, mode are all equal)
- Skewed Data: Data that is not normally distributed (report median & IQ range).
How to avoid Misusing Statistics
- Understand elementary course concepts.
- Consult a statistician for surveys and analysis.
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Description
This quiz covers the foundational concepts of statistics, including its history and development. Explore how statistics evolved from its origins related to governance and its modern applications in data analysis and interpretation. Gain a clearer understanding of what constitutes statistics today.