Chapter 1: Introduction Flashcards
What is statistics
Statistics is the act of extracting information from data
or
The study of collection and analyzing of data
What is descriptive statistics
It refers to graphical and tabular methods used to summarise and order data.
Simply put data that consists of explaining only using words and not numbers
What’s the difference between a population and a sample
Population is the complete group of elements from which one would like to gain information, while a sample is a subset of the population
What is the meaning of statistical inference
This refers to methods used to make conclusions about a population from sample data
What is the purpose of statistical inference
It is to infer (make conclusions) characteristics of a population using only the information drawn from the sample 
What is measurement
It involves assigning a numerical value to a property of an observed element
Measurements are valid if they lead to useful information concerning the property being studied
Give examples of variables
The height of a person
The weight of a banana
Marks obtained by a student in an exam
Gender
Name the two types of variables and the difference between them
Discrete data and continuous data
Discrete data is distinguishable and disconnected from one another.
Continuous data is not clearly distinguishable.
Name the types of scales
Nominal scale
Ordinal scale
Interval scale
Ratio scale
A statistic is calculated from a sample and a parameter is calculated from a _____
Population
Sample surveying
With sample surveying the sample is studied more in-depth than the population
Give an example of what a statistical inference is
The drawing of conclusions about a population from a sample
