DATA AND STATISTICS

Chapter 1
 Data consists of information coming from
observations, counts, measurements, or responses.

INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICS Statistics is the science of collecting, organizing, analyzing,

and interpreting data in order to make decisions.

A population is the collection of all outcomes, responses,

measurement, or counts that are of interest.

A sample is a subset of a population.

POPULATIONS & SAMPLES PARAMETERS & STATISTICS

 Example: A parameter is a numerical description of a population
 In a recent survey, 250 college students at Union characteristic.
College were asked if they smoked cigarettes
regularly. 35 of the students said yes. Identify
the population and the sample.
A statistic is a numerical description of a sample
Responses of all students at characteristic.
Union College (population)

Parameter Population
Responses of students
in survey (sample)
Statistic Sample

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PARAMETERS & STATISTICS BRANCHES OF STATISTICS

 Example:
 Decide whether the numerical value describes a population parameter or a sample statistic. The study of statistics has two major branches: descriptive
statistics and inferential statistics.
Statistics
a.) A recent survey of a sample of 450 college students
reported that the average weekly income for students
is $325.
Descriptive Inferential
Because the average of $325 is based on a sample, statistics statistics
this is a sample statistic.
Involves the Involves using a
b.) The average weekly income for all students is $405. organization, sample to draw
Because the average of $405 is based on a population, summarization, conclusions about a
this is a population parameter. and display of data. population.
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 DESCRIPTIVE AND INFERENTIAL
STATISTICS
Example:

§ 1.2


 In a recent study, volunteers who had less than 6 hours of sleep were four times more likely to answer incorrectly on a science test than were participants who had at least 8
hours of sleep. Decide which part is the descriptive statistic and what conclusion might be drawn using inferential statistics.

Data
Classification
The statement “four times more likely to answer
incorrectly” is a descriptive statistic. An inference
drawn from the sample is that all individuals sleeping
less than 6 hours are more likely to answer science
question incorrectly than individuals who sleep at
least 8 hours.

QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE DATA

TYPES OF DATA
Example:
Data sets can consist of two types of data: qualitative data

 The grade point averages of five students are listed in the table. Which data are qualitative data and which are quantitative data?

and quantitative data.

Data
Student GPA
Sally 3.22
Qualitative Quantitative
Data Bob 3.98
Data
Cindy 2.75
Consists of Consists of
Mark 2.24
attributes, labels, numerical
Kathy 3.84
or nonnumerical measurements or
entries. counts. Qualitative data Quantitative data
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LEVELS OF MEASUREMENT NOMINAL LEVEL OF MEASUREMENT

The level of measurement determines which statistical Data at the nominal level of measurement are qualitative
calculations are meaningful. The four levels of only.
measurement are: nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio.
Nominal
Levels Calculated using names, labels,
Nominal or qualities. No mathematical
of
Levels Lowest Measurement computations can be made at
Ordinal to
of this level.
Measurement Interval highest
Colors in Names of Textbooks you
Ratio the US students in your are using this
flag class semester

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 ORDINAL LEVEL OF MEASUREMENT INTERVAL LEVEL OF MEASUREMENT
Data at the ordinal level of measurement are qualitative Data at the interval level of measurement are quantitative.
or quantitative. A zero entry simply represents a position on a scale; the
entry is not an inherent zero.
Levels Levels
of Ordinal of
Measurement Arranged in order, but Measurement Interval
differences between data Arranged in order, the differences
entries are not meaningful. between data entries can be calculated.

Class standings: Numbers on the Top 50 songs Temperatures Years on a Atlanta Braves
freshman, back of each played on the timeline World Series
sophomore, player’s shirt radio victories
junior, senior

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SUMMARY OF LEVELS OF MEASUREMENT

RATIO LEVEL OF MEASUREMENT
Data at the ratio level of measurement are similar to the Determine if
interval level, but a zero entry is meaningful. Level of
Put data Arrange
Subtract one data value
in data in
measurement data values is a multiple of
A ratio of two data values can be categories order
Levels another
of formed so one data value can be
Nominal Yes No No No
Measurement expressed as a ratio.
Ordinal Yes Yes No No
Ratio Interval Yes Yes Yes No
Ratio Yes Yes Yes Yes
Ages Grade point Weights
averages

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DESIGNING A STATISTICAL STUDY

§ 1.3 
1.
GUIDELINES
Identify the variable(s) of interest (the focus) and the

Experimental
population of the study.
2. Develop a detailed plan for collecting data. If you use a
sample, make sure the sample is representative of the
Design 3.
population.
Collect the data.
4. Describe the data.
5. Interpret the data and make decisions about the
population using inferential statistics.
6. Identify any possible errors.

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 METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION STRATIFIED SAMPLES
In an observational study, a researcher observes and A stratified sample has members from each segment of a
measures characteristics of interest of part of a population. population. This ensures that each segment from the
population is represented.
In an experiment, a treatment is applied to part of a
population, and responses are observed.
A simulation is the use of a mathematical or physical model
to reproduce the conditions of a situation or process.
A survey is an investigation of one or more characteristics
of a population.
Freshmen Sophomores Juniors Seniors
A census is a measurement of an entire population.

A sampling is a measurement of part of a population.

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CLUSTER SAMPLES SYSTEMATIC SAMPLES

A cluster sample has all members from randomly selected A systematic sample is a sample in which each member of
segments of a population. This is used when the population the population is assigned a number. A starting number is
falls into naturally occurring subgroups. randomly selected and sample members are selected at
regular intervals.

All members
in each
selected group
are used.
Every fourth member is chosen.

The city of Clarksville divided into city blocks.

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CONVENIENCE SAMPLES IDENTIFYING THE SAMPLING TECHNIQUE

A convenience sample consists only of available members Example continued:
of the population.
You are doing a study to determine the number of years of
Example: education each teacher at your college has. Identify the sampling
You are doing a study to determine the number of years of technique used if you select the samples listed.
education each teacher at your college has. Identify the sampling
1.) This is a cluster sample because each department is a naturally
technique used if you select the samples listed.
occurring subdivision.
1.) You randomly select two different departments and survey each
teacher in those departments. 2.) This is a convenience sample because you are using the teachers
that are readily available to you.
2.) You select only the teachers you currently have this semester.
3.) This is a stratified sample because the teachers are divided by
3.) You divide the teachers up according to their department and department and some from each department are randomly
then choose and survey some teachers in each department. Continued. selected.
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