Chapter 1: What Is Statistics

Question 1

Descriptive statistics

Answer 1

Methods of organizing, summarizing, and presenting data in a convenient and informative way. May be graphical or numerical

Question 2

Measure of central location

Answer 2

“typical” mark (datum)

Average, mean, median, mode

Question 3

Measure if variability

Answer 3

How close marks in data set are to the central location

Range
Distribution

Question 4

Inferential statistics

Answer 4

Body of methods used to draw conclusions or inferences about characteristics of populations based on sample data.

Question 5

Population

Answer 5

The group of all items of interest to a statistics practitioner. (Generally large, may be infinite.)

(Also: entire set of observations under study)

Question 6

Parameter

Answer 6

A descriptive measure of a population. (In inferential statistics, parameter is set to information required)

Question 7

Sample

Answer 7

Set of data drawn from the studied population

Question 8

Statistic

Answer 8

A descriptive measure of a sample, used to make inferences about parameters.

Question 9

Statistical inference

Answer 9

The process of making an estimate, prediction, or decision about a population based on sample data.

Requires measures of reliability

Question 10

Measures of reliability

Answer 10

Confidence level

Significance level

Question 11

Confidence level

Answer 11

The proportion of times that an estimating procedure will be correct

Question 12

Significance level

Answer 12

A measure of how frequently the conclusion of an estimating procedure will be wrong