Introduction to Statistics

Content
Statistics
Phases of Statistics
Definition of Terms
Conducting a Statistical Inquiry

Statistics
Branch of Mathematics that deals with the collection, organization,
analysis, interpretation, and presentation of data.

Phases of Statistics
Descriptive Statistics
Includes techniques which are concerned with summarizing and describing
numerical data.

Inferential Statistics
Includes the techniques by which decisions about a statistical population are
made based only on a sample having been observed or a judgement having
been obtained.

Definition of Terms
Population
A set representing all measurements of interest to the sample collector.
May be finite or infinite in size.

Population Parameter
True value of any population property such as population mean, population
variance.
Usually symbolized by using Greek letters

Sample or Random Sample

A subset of measurements selected from the population of interest.
A small sample is usually called a Sample Size.

Definition of Terms
Sample Statistic
A single number calculated from sample data and used to estimate a
population parameter whose exact value is usually unknown.

Experiment
Refers to any process that generates a set of data which may be numerical or
categorical data that can be classified according to some criteria.

Observation
Any recording of information, whether it be numerical or categorical.

Definition of Terms
Variable
A characteristic or attribute that can take on different values.
Qualitative Variable
Measures a quality or characteristic.

Quantitative Variable
Measures a numerical quantity or amount that can be ordered or ranked.
Can be classified as Discrete or Continuous.

Random Variables
Variables whose values are determined by chance.

Definition of Terms
Data
Values that the variable can assume
Qualitative Data
Values that are categorical.

Quantitative Data
Values that are numerical.

Definition of Terms
Levels of measurement
Dictates what statistical approach to apply based on the variables of the
study.
1. Nominal
2. Ordinal
3. Interval
4. Ratio

Conducting a Statistical Inquiry

To make inferences about a population five elements contained in
every Statistical Problem or study must be present.
Clear definition or specification of the objective of the experiment and the
pertinent population.
Design of the experiment or sampling procedure.
Collection and analysis of data.
Procedure for making inferences about the population based upon the
sample information.
Provision of a measure of goodness for the inference.