1.1 Populations, Samples, and Processes Flashcards
Define Descriptive Statistics
Looking for patterns in a quantitative dataset, to summarize and present them, numerically or graphically
Define Inferential Statistics
Using sample data to make estimates, decisions, predictions, or generalizations about a larger set of data.
Define Variation
Differences or Changes in an item
Define Data
Observations gathered to draw conclusions
Define an Experimental Unit
The object about which we collect data. (eg. patients in a clinical study, plants in an agricultural study)
Define Variable
A characteristic or property of an individual experimental unit. (eg. heart rate in patients, water consumption in agricultural study)
Define Population
A set of units we are interested in studying. Typically it is impossible to collect data on the whole population, so we collect from a sample, and make predictions.
Define Parameter
A piece of data relating to the POPULATION rather than the Sample
Define Sample
A subset of the population. Information is easier to collect. Data taken from a sample is extrapolated to infer conclusions about the population.
Define Statistic
A number that summarizes a characteristic of a sample
Define Statistical Inference
The science of drawing conclusions about a population on the basis of observing a sample from the same population
Describe Quantitative Data
Measurements that are recorded on a naturally occuring numeric scale
Describe Qualitative Data
Measurements that are more characteristic, and cannot be recorded on a numerical scale
List the 5 different sampling methods
Simple Random Sampling: Random
Stratified Random Sampling: Divide into groups, then random
Systematic Random Sampling: Make a sampling interval
Cluster Sampling: Divide into groups, then all in group
Convenience Sampling: who wants a cookie!?
