Chapter 1 Flashcards
Define Statistics
The scientific discipline that provides methods to help us make sense of data.
What are the three reasons to study statistics?
- To be informed
- To understand issues and be able to make sound decisions based on data
- To be able to evaluate decisions that affect your life.
Why do we need to understand variability?
To be able to collect, analyze, and draw conclusions from data in a sensible way.
Define descriptive statistics.
The branch of statistics that includes of methods for organizing and summarizing data.
Define population.
The entire collection of individuals or objects that information is desired about.
Define sample.
A subset of the population. A small number of the population selected to study.
Define inferential statistics.
The branch of statistics that involves generalizing from a sample to the population.
What is the data analysis process?
- Understanding the nature of the problem
- Deciding what to measure and how to measure it
- Data collection
- Data summarization and preliminary analysis
- Formal data analysis
- Interpretation of results
Define variable.
Any characteristic whose value may change from one individual or object to another.
Define data.
Results from making observations.
Define univariate data.
Observations made on a single variable.
Define categorical.
The individual observations are categorical responses.
Ex.
Type of calculator used
Define numerical.
When each observation is a number.
Ex.
Cost of textbooks
Define discrete data.
The possible values of the variable correspond to isolated points on the number line.
Ex.
Number of dogs owned
Define continuous data.
The set of possible values forms an entire interval on the number line.
Ex.
A child’s height
