What is Statistics?

Data

- a fact or proposition used to draw a conclusion or make a decision - describes characteristics of an individual or thing

Population

a complete set of people, places or things (nouns) whose properties are to be analyzed

Statistic

a numerical value obtained from studying a sample

Parameter

a numerical value obtained from studying an entire population

Nominal Variable

a qualitative variable that characterizes an element of the population (cannot be used for calculations)

Ordinal Variable

a qualitative variable that characterizes an element of the population in a particular order or rank (cannot be used for calculations)

Discrete Variable

a quantitative variable that is made up of countable numerical values (whole numbers only, gaps may exist between each numerical point)

Continuous Variable

a quantitative variable that is made up of uncountable numerical values (includes every possibility between 2 numerical points)

Sample

a subset or group taken from a greater population

Finite

can be listed

Infinite

cannot be listed, just estimated

Variables

characteristics of the individuals within the population

Qualitative Variable

describes the element of a population using words

Inferential Statistics

interpreting the descriptive values of a sample and using this to infer conclusions about a greater population

Quantitative Variable

quantifies the element of the population (numerical)

Descriptive Statistics

the collection, presentation and description of data

Data Value

the numerical value associated to a variable

Statistics

the science of collecting, organizing, summarizing, and analyzing information to draw conclusions or answer questions

Random Sampling

when every element of the population or sample has an equal chance of being chosen

Non Random Sampling

when not every element of the population or sample has an equal chance of being chosen