Statistics and Basic Terms

Question 1

Briefly describe the two meanings of the word statistics.

Answer 1

1. Statistics refers to numerical facts.

2. Statistics refers to the field or discipline of study.

Question 2

Briefly explain the types of statistics.

Answer 2

1. Descriptive, methods for organizing, displaying and describing data.
2. Inferential statistics, method of making decisions based on sample results of population.

Question 3

Explain the meaning of an element.

Answer 3

Element - specific subject

Question 4

Explain the meaning of a variable.

Answer 4

A variable is a characteristic under study that assumes different values for different elements.

Question 5

Explain the meaning of an observation.

Answer 5

Observation - value of an element

Question 6

Explain the meaning of a data set.

Answer 6

Data set - collection of observations