Scribd
Upload
86 views

Statistics, Data, and Statistical Thinking

Statistics can be used to describe data through descriptive statistics or make generalizations about populations through inferential statistics. The key elements of statistics include the population, experimental units, variables, samples, statistical inferences, and reliability measures. There are two main types of data - quantitative and qualitative - and various methods to collect data, such as published sources, experiments, surveys, and observations. Sources of error in survey data include selection bias, non-response bias, and measurement error.

Uploaded by

tamer_aci
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
86 views

Statistics, Data, and Statistical Thinking

Statistics can be used to describe data through descriptive statistics or make generalizations about populations through inferential statistics. The key elements of statistics include the population, experimental units, variables, samples, statistical inferences, and reliability measures. There are two main types of data - quantitative and qualitative - and various methods to collect data, such as published sources, experiments, surveys, and observations. Sources of error in survey data include selection bias, non-response bias, and measurement error.

Uploaded by

tamer_aci
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 19

Chapter 1

Statistics, Data, and Statistical Thinking


The Science of Statistics

Statistics – the science of data

Collection
Evaluation (classification, summary, organization and
analysis)
Interpretation

2
Types of Statistical Applications

Descriptive Statistics - describe collected


data

“Nearly 87% of players participating in


a Speed Training Program improved
their sprint times.”

“Only about 3% of players participating in a Speed


Training Program had decreased times.”
3
Types of Statistical Applications

Inferential Statistics - make generalizations


about a group based on a subset (Sample)
of that group

“Based on exit polls, more people voted for


Candidate A.”

4
Fundamental Elements of Statistics

Experimental Unit – object of interest


example – graduating senior
Population – the set of units we are
interested in learning about
example – all 1450 graduating seniors at
“State U”
Variable – characteristic of an individual
population unit
example – age at graduation
5
Fundamental Elements of Statistics

Sample – subset of population


example – 100 graduating seniors at “State U”
Statistical Inference – generalization about a
population based on sample data
example – The average age at graduation is 21.9
(based on sample of 100)
Measure of reliability – statement about the
uncertainty associated with an inference
6
Fundamental Elements of Statistics

Elements of Descriptive Statistical Problems


– population/sample of interest
– investigative variables
– numerical summary tools (charts, graphs, tables)
– pattern identification in data

7
Fundamental Elements of Statistics

Elements of Inferential Statistical Problems


–population of interest
–investigative variables
–sample taken from population
–inference about population based on sample data
–Reliability measure for the inference

8
Types of Data

Quantitative Data
•measured on a naturally occurring scale
•equal intervals along scale (allows for
meaningful mathematical calculations)
•data with absolute zero (zero means no value)
is ratio data (bank balance, grade)
•Data with relative zero (zero has value) is
interval data (temperature)

9
Types of Data

Qualitative Data
•measured by classification only
•Non-numerical in nature
•Meaningfully ordered categories identify ordinal
data (best to worst ranking, age categories)
•Categories without a meaningful order identify
nominal data (political affiliation, industry
classification, ethnic/cultural groups)

10
Types of Data

•Different statistical techniques used for


quantitative and qualitative data
•Qualitative and Quantitative data can be
used together in some techniques
•Quantitative data can be transformed into
Qualitative data through category creation
•Qualitative data cannot be meaningfully
transformed into Quantitative data
11
Collecting Data
•Data Sources
–Published source – books, journals, abstracts
•Primary vs. secondary
–Designed Experiment
•Often used for gathering information about an intervention
–Survey
•Data gathered through questions from a sample of people
–Observational Study
•Data gathered through observation, no interaction with units

12
Collecting Data
•Sampling
–Sampling is necessary if inferential statistics are to be
used
–Samples need to be representative
•Reflect population of interest
–Random Sampling
•Most common sampling method to ensure sample is
representative
•Ensures that each subset of fixed size is equally likely to be
selected

13
Collecting Data
Question – a local TV station conducts exit polling during
an election, selecting every 10th person who exits the
polling station. Is this a random sample?

No. Why?

Before the first person is surveyed, there are only 10


subsets that can be selected from the whole population.

Once the first person is surveyed, there is only 1 subset


that can be selected from the whole population.

14
The Role of Statistics in Critical
Thinking
Statistical literacy is necessary today to
make informed decisions both at work and
at home
Requires statistical thinking to critically
assess data and the inferences drawn from
it
Statistical thinking assists you in identifying
research resulting from unethical statistical
practices
15
The Role of Statistics in Critical
Thinking
Common Sources of Error in Survey Data

Selection bias – exclusion of a subset of the population of


interest prior to sampling
Nonresponse bias – introduced when responses are not
gotten from all sample members
Measurement error – inaccuracy in recorded data. Can be
due to survey design, interviewer impact, or a transcription
error

16
Summary
• 2 types of statistical applications in
business – Descriptive and Inferential
• 6 fundamental elements of statistics
– population
– experimental units
– variable
– sample
– inference
– measure of reliability
17
Summary

• 2 types of data – Quantitative and


Qualitative
• 4 Data collection methods
– published source
– designed experiment
– survey
– observation

18
Summary

• Sources of Error in Survey Data


– selection bias
– non-response bias
– measurement error

19

You might also like