COMMON TERMS IN STATISTICS 

MEANING OF STATISTICS 
STATISTICS 
• 
Singular Sense • • Plural Sense it refers to the scientific discipline it refers to
numerical facts that are sym consisting of theory and methods metrically collected and
analyzed like  for processing numerical information that in responses in a
questionnaire re that one can use when making decisions sults of tests, peso to dollar
exchange in the face of uncertainty. rate, passing percentage and etc.. (Mathematical
Approach) (General Approach) •  
In Both Sense 
it refers to quantities computed from numerical information 
as such, statisticians are involved with methods of data collection, 
data summarization or presentation, data results of its analyses or 
data interpretation, hence statistics could also be defined as a 
branch of science that deals with the collection, presentation, analysis 
and interpretation of quantitative and qualitative gathered data. 
(Statistics Definition) 

Statistic 
• a number that represents a piece of information (such as information about how often
something  is done, how common something is, etc.) 
• a quantity (as the mean of a sample) that is computed from a sample. - a random
variable that  takes on the possible values of statistic. 
• a characteristic or measure obtained by using the data values from a sample. 

Parameter 
• a rule or limit that controls what something should be done. 
• an arbitrary constant whose value characterizes a member of a system
(family of curves). • a quantity (as a mean or variance) that describes a
statistical population. 
• a characteristic or measure obtained by using all the data values from a specific
population. 

Variable 
• is a characteristic or attribute that can assume different values.  

Random Variable 
• are variables whose values are determines by chance 

Inferential Statistics 
• an area of statistics consists of generalizing from samples to populations, performing
estimations  and hypothesis tests, determining relationships among variables,
 making predictions and that  the conclusions about population are inferred from
analysis of a sample. (using the concept of  probability) 

Descriptive Statistics 
• an area of statistics consisting of the collection, organization, summarization, and
presentation  of data. Thus, this data is summarized but no inferences must be
made. 

Data 
• these are measurements or observations of variables. 

Parametric Test 
• are statistical tests for population parameters such as means, variances, and
proportions that  involve assumptions about the populations from which the samples
were selected. 

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Non-Parametric Test 
• also known as distribution-free statistics are statistical tests used when the
population from  which the samples are selected is not normally distributed.  
• Are statistical tests that can be used to test hypotheses that do not involve specific
population  parameters, such as population mean, standard deviation or p-value. 

Population 
• consists of all subjects (human or ideals) that are being studied. 

Sample 
• is a group of subjects selected from a population. 

Statistical Hypothesis 
• is a conjecture about a population parameter that may or may not be true. 

Null Hypothesis 
• is a statistical hypothesis that commonly expressed as “… no difference … “ or
change is not in  favorable existence after some statistical test(s) and/or data
analysis. 

Alternative Hypothesis 
• is a statistical hypothesis commonly expressed as “… there is a difference …” or
change occurs  and exited after some statistical test(s) and/data analysis. 

Statistical Test 
• uses the data obtained from a sample to make decision about the hypotheses,
interpretation or  analysis about whether the null hypothesis should be rejected or
accepted. 
Test Value 
• is the numerical value obtained from a statistical test. 

Level of Significance 
• is the maximum probability of committing a type I error. This probability is symbolized
by a  (Greek letter alpha). The common significance level are 10%, 5% and 1%. 
• also referred to margin of error 

Critical Value 
• it separates the critical region from the noncritical region.  

Critical or rejection region 

• it is the range of values of the test value that indicates that there is a significant
difference and  that the null hypothesis should be rejected. 

Noncritical or non-rejection region 

• it is the range of values of the test value that indicates that the difference was probably
due to  chance and that the null hypothesis should not be rejected. 

General Rounding Rule  

In statistics the basic rounding rule is that when computations are done in the
calculation,  rounding should not be done until the final answer is calculated. In the
course it is not practical to  show long decimals in the intermediate calculations; hence,
the values in the examples are carried out  to enough places (using 5 numerical
magnitude e.i. 0.0000) to obtain the same answer that a calculator  would give after
rounding on the last step. 
An exception for 5 as rounding rule legally for statistics: 
0 . 0 0 0 5 X . . . X can be any real number 
5 followed by odd number X, add 1. 
5 followed by even number X, retained.

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QUIZ#1 

I. Compare and Contrast each versus (vs.) terms. Answers must be in a

paragraph form. 

1. Singular Sense Statistics vs. Plural Sense Statistics 

In Singular Sense Statistics, statistics is a method of arriving at a decision

using numerical processes. While in Plural Sense Statistics statistics

is viewed as a collection of quantified data analysis in response to an

assumed truth or probability.

2. Parameter vs. Statistics

Parameter draws the line or limit up to where the samples were to be studied.
While statistics are the methods used in observing samples to come up with
ideas supported with facts and numerical data.

3. Inferential Statistics vs. Descriptive Statistics 

In inferential statistics statistics is used to prove a hypothesis or educated guess

using analyzed data and numbers, while in descriptive statistics, statistics is used
to describe characteristics of the data samples.

4. Parametric Test vs. Nonparametric Test 

Parametric Tests in statistics are used to study data samples that are usually in
normal distribution while the Nonparametric Test is used when the data
collected is not normal to accept or reject assumptions.

5. Test Value vs. Critical Value 

Test values are the numerical results obtained using statistical methods that will
lead us in identifying whether there is a correlation between samples. On the
other hand critical value draws a line whether to reject or accept based on the
gathered data and graphed data.

II. True-False Test. Choose only one letter that corresponds to your final
answer per item. 

N - Always True 
C - Not True to All 
F - False 
6. Statistics focuses on the data/information gathered from a specific population
to be studied  and analyzed either through a parametric or non-parametric tests
based from a hypothesis.( c )
7. Population is always part of sample.  ( F ) 

8. 3.678519024 will be 3.36785 and 1.43752089 will be 1.4375  using the

General Rounding Rule presented and discussed in this session. ( f )

9. The significance level 10%, 5% and 1% are of the same use in

hypothesis testing. ( f )

10. In statistics data and information must be represented numerically. ( C )