Basic Definitions

Question 1

Statistics

Answer 1

The study of methods for collecting, organizing, and analyzing data

Question 2

Descriptive Statistics

Answer 2

Procedures used to organize and present data in a convenient and communicable form

Question 3

Inferential Statistics

Answer 3

Procedures employed to arrive at broader conclusions or inferences about populations on the basis of samples

Question 4

Population

Answer 4

The complete set of actual or potential elements about which inferences are made

Question 5

Sample

Answer 5

A subset of the population selected using some sampling method

Question 6

Sampling Methods

Answer 6

Cluster Sample, Stratified Sample, Simple Random Sample

Question 7

Cluster Sample

Answer 7

A population is divided into groups called ______s; some ______s are randomly selected, and every member in them is observed

Question 8

Stratified Sample

Answer 8

A population is divided into strata, and a fixed number of elements of each stratum are selected for the sample

Question 9

Simple Random Sample

Answer 9

A sample selected so that each possible sample of the same size has an equal probability of being selected; used for most elementary inference

Question 10

Variable

Answer 10

An attribute of elements of a population or sample that can be measured (Ex:height, weight, hair color, IQ, and pulse rate are some of the many of these that can be measured for people)

Question 11

Data

Answer 11

Values of variables that have been observed

Question 12

Types of Data

Answer 12

Qualitative/Categorical, Quantitative, Discrete, and Continuous Data

Question 13

Qualitative/Categorical Data

Answer 13

descriptive but not numeric (Ex: gender, birthplace, color of a car)

Question 14

Quantitative Data

Answer 14

take numeric values

Question 15

Discrete Data

Answer 15

take counting numbers (0, 1, 2, …) as values, usually representing things that can be counted (Ex: number of fleas on a dog, number of times a professor is late in a semester)

Question 16

Continuous Data

Answer 16

can take a range of numeric values, not just counting numbers – measures (Ex: height of a child, weight of a bag of beans, amount of time a professor is late)

Question 17

Levels of Measurement for Qualitative/Categorical Data

Answer 17

Nominal and Ordinal Levels

Question 18

Nominal Level

Answer 18

Values are just names, without any order (Ex: color of a car, major in a college)

Question 19

Ordinal Level

Answer 19

Values have some Natural Order (Ex: Military Rank, High School Class [Freshmen, Sophomore, Junior, Senior])

Question 20

Levels of Measurement for Quantitative Data

Answer 20

Interval and Ratio Levels

Question 21

Interval Level

Answer 21

Numeric data w/ no natural zero point; intervals (differences) are meaningful, but ratios are not (Ex: temperature in Fahrenheit degrees – 80 degrees F is 20 degrees F hotter than 60 degrees F, but it is not 150% as hot)

Question 22

Ratio Level

Answer 22

Numeric data for which there is a true zero; both intervals and ratios are meaningful (Ex: weight, length, duration, most physical properties really)

Question 23

Statistic

Answer 23

A numeric measure computed from sample data, used to describe the sample and to estimate the corresponding population parameter

Question 24

Parameter

Answer 24

A numeric measure that describes a population; usually not computed, but inferred from sample statistics