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1.2 Basic Terms and Variables

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18 views

1.2 Basic Terms and Variables

Uploaded by

Daniel Oliver
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Basic Terms:

Population: A collection, or set, of individuals or objects or events whose properties are to be analyzed.

Two kinds of populations: finite or infinite.

Sample: A subset of the population.

Variable: A characteristic of each individual element of a population or sample.

Data (singular): The value of the variable associated with one element of a population or sample. This
value may be a number, a word, or a symbol.

Data (plural): The set of values collected for the variable from each of the elements belonging to the
sample.

Experiment: A planned activity whose results yield a set of data.

Parameter: A numerical value summarizing all the data of an entire population.

Statistic: A numerical value summarizing the sample data.

Example: A college dean is interested in learning about the average age of faculty. Identify the basic
terms in this situation.

- The population is the age of all faculty members at the college.


- A sample is any subset of that population. For example, we might select 10 faculty members
and determine their age.
- The variable is the “age” of each faculty member.
- One data would be the age of a specific faculty member.
- The data would be the set of values in the sample.
- The experiment would be the method used to select the ages forming the sample and
determining the actual age of each faculty member in the sample.
- The parameter of interest is the “average” age of all faculty at the college.
- The statistic is the “average” age for all faculty in the sample.
Two kinds of variables:

- Qualitative, or Attribute, or Categorical Variable: A variable that categorizes or describes an


element of a population.

Note: Arithmetic operations, such as addition and averaging, are not meant for data resulting from a
qualitative variable.

- Quantitative, or Numerical Variable: A variable that quantifies an element of a population.

Note: Arithmetic operations such as addition and averaging, are meaningful for data resulting from a
quantitative variable.

Example: Identify each of the following examples as an attribute (qualitative) or numerical (quantitative)
variables.

The residence hall for each student in a statistics class.

(Attribute) Variable= resident hall

The amount of gasoline pumped by the next 10 customers at the local Unimart.

(Numerical) Variable= amount of gas

The amount of radon in the basement of each of 25 homes in a new development.

(Numerical)Variable= amount of radon

The color of the baseball cap worn by each of 20 students.

(Attribute) Variable= color of the cap

The length of time to complete a mathematics homework assignment.

(Numerical) Variable= length of time

The state in which each truck is registered when stopped and inspected at a weigh station.

(Attribute) Variable= state name


Qualitative and quantitative variables may be further subdivided:

- Nominal Variable: A qualitative variable that categorizes (or describes, or names) an element of
a population.
- Ordinal Variable: A qualitative variable that incorporates an ordered position, or ranking.
- Discrete Variable: A quantitative variable that can assume a countable number of values.
Intuitively, a discrete variable can assume values corresponding to isolated points along with a
line interval. That is, there is a gap between any two values.
- Continuous Variable: A quantitative variable that can assume an uncountable number of values.
Intuitively, a continuous variable can assume any value along with a line interval, including every
possible value between any two values.

Note:

In many cases, a discrete and continuous variable may be distinguished by determining whether the
variables are related to a count or a measurement.

Discrete variables are usually associated with counting. If the variable cannot be further subdivided, it is
a clue that you are probably dealing with a discrete variable.

Continuous variables are usually associated with measurements. The values of discrete variables are
only limited by your ability to measure them.

Example: Identify each of the following as examples of (1) nominal, (2) ordinal, (3) discrete, or (4)
continuous variables:

The residence hall for each student in a statistics class. (Nominal)

The amount of gasoline pumped by the next 10 customers at the local Unimart. (Continuous)

The amount of radon in the basement of each of 25 homes in a new development. (Continuous)

The color of the baseball cap worn by each of 20 students. (Nominal)

The length of time to complete a mathematics homework assignment. (Continuous)

The state in which each truck is registered when stopped and inspected at a weigh station. (Nominal)

The number of test items in the examination. (Discrete)

The job position of the 10 employees from the lowest to highest salary. (Ordinal)

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