Making sense of

numbers

Quantitative methods
1) Uses of statistical analysis
1) Descriptive
2) Inference

2) Types of Variables
1) Nominal
2) Ordinal
3) Interval and ratio

3) Different statistical methods

4) Hypothesis testing
1) Null hypothesis
2) P-value
Quantitative methods
A system of analysis designed to
collect, organize, analyze and
interpret data.

the use of numbers in

analysing a problem

Statistics is the study of the collection, organization, analysis, and

interpretation of data.

Statistics is not just the figures/numbers we compute. Statistics is a

method of analysis.
 Statistical methods
There are a lot of statistics we can use. A
researcher should develop the skill of knowing
when to use what statistics.

How do we know which statistical test to use?

It depends on the type of variable, number of variables and
type of hypothesis/research question.
Why do we need statistical analysis?

1) To describe the sample

DESCRIPTIVE

2) To use information from

Population
the sample to describe
the population

INFERENCE Sample
Contingency table is a cross tabulation or
crosstab of two variables. It is best used to
record and analyze variables that have
categorical response.
Dependent Variable is a variable that is presumed
to be affected by the independent variable.

Independent Variable is a variable that is presumed

to influence/affect the dependent variable.

Example: Gender influences participation in 4Ps.

Gender: Independent variable
Participation: Dependent variable

Which test to use?

 Hypothesis Testing
Null hypothesis [Ho] is the hypothesis stating no relationship or no
difference in means.
Example:
Mean poverty is the same in Kalahi-Cidss areas compared to non-
Kalahi-Cidss areas.

Alternative hypothesis [Ha or H1] is the hypothesis stating

relationship or difference in means.
Example:
Mean poverty is not the same in Kalahi-Cidss areas compared to
non-Kalahi-Cidss areas.
 List of Null Hypothesis
Ttest Mean of group1 = Mean of group 2.
Anova Means of groups (two or more) are equal.
The independent variable has no influence on the
Regression dependent variable.

The independent variable has no influence on the

Logistic dependent variable.
The relative frequency (percent) of one variable is not
influenced by the relative frequency (percent) of
Odds ratio another.
Correlation The two variables are not correlated.
Time series Current values are not affected by past values.

There are no factors that can classify the set of

Factor Analysis variables.
 Hypothesis

Data
What is the Ho of
the statistical
test you used?
Statistical test

Interpretation
Is p-
Yes Reject
value <
0.05? Ho

NO

Fail to
reject Ho Statistical decision