Lecture 1 REVISED

Question 1

statistics = ?

Answer 1

a branch of mathematics that involves the collection, description, analysis and inference of conclusions based on data

Question 2

samples consist of…

Answer 2

a portion of a large group

Question 3

how do statisticians draw conclusions from large groups?

Answer 3

they derive information from samples and draw reliable conclusions

Question 4

what are the two major branches of statistics?

Answer 4

descriptive statistics
inferential statistics

Question 5

descriptive statistics characteristics

Answer 5

• used to summarise the characteristics of a sample or dataset
• e.g., mean, median, variance etc
• first level of statistical analysis
• used to find values that summarise variables, samples and populations

Question 6

inferential statistics characteristics

Answer 6

• employs techniques to relate variables in a dataset
• e.g., correlation, regression etc
• can be used to estimate forecasts
• more complex level of statistical analysis
• estimates the relationship between multiple variables to infer data patterns

Question 7

examples of descriptive statistics?

Answer 7

mean
variance
skewness
kurtosis

Question 8

examples of inferential statistics?

Answer 8

hypothesis testing
analysis of variance (ANOVA)
regression analysis
logit modelling

Question 9

how are descriptive statistics portrayed?

Answer 9

tables and data visualisation (e.g., graphs)

e.g., histograms, line graphs, scatter plots, bar charts

Question 10

two parts of descriptive statistics?

Answer 10

measures of central tendency

measures of variability

Question 11

population?
parameter?
sample?
statistic?

Answer 11

population: set of all elements of interest in a particular study

parameter: a summary measure for a population

sample: a subset of the population

statistic: a summary measure for a sample

Question 12

what are two world views?

Answer 12

based on certainty (cause and effect)

uncertainty (probabilistic, randomness)

Question 13

statistics = mathematics?

Answer 13

false

Question 14

what is probability theory?

Answer 14

the study of likelihood or chance

probability is the connection between descriptive and inferential statistics

Question 15

what 5 things are statistics good for?

Answer 15

• describing a complex world
• forecasting trends
• capturing relationships
• informing decision making
• evaluating decision making