Chapter 1

Introduction to Statistics

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 1.1 An Overview of Statistics

 1.2 Data Classification

 1.3 Data Collection

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An Overview of Statistics

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Data
Consist of information coming from observations,
counts, measurements, or responses.

“People who eat three daily servings of whole grains have been
shown to reduce their risk of…stroke by 37%.”

“Seventy percent of the 1500 U.S. spinal cord injuries to

minors result from vehicle accidents, and 68 percent were not
wearing a seatbelt.”

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Statistics
The science of collecting,
organizing, analyzing,
and interpreting data in
order to make decisions.

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Population
The collection of all outcomes,
responses, measurements, or
counts that are of interest.

Sample
A subset, or part, of the population.

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In a recent survey, 1500 adults in the Malaysia
were asked if they thought there was solid
evidence for global warming. 855 of the adults
said yes. Identify the population and the
sample. Describe the data set.

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 The population consists of the
responses of all adults in the
Malaysia.
 The sample consists of the Responses of adults in
responses of the 1500 adults the Malaysia (population)
in the Malaysia in the survey. Responses of
adults in survey
 The sample is a subset of the (sample)
responses of all adults in the
Malaysia.
 The data set consists of 855
yes’s and 645 no’s.

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Parameter
A numerical description of a population
characteristic.
Average age of all people in the Malaysia.

Statistic
A numerical description of a sample
characteristic.
Average age of people from a sample of
three states (Johor, Melaka and Perak).

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 Example: Distinguish Parameter and Statistic
Decide whether the numerical value describes a
population parameter or a sample statistic.

1. A recent survey of a sample of college

career centers reported that the average
starting salary for petroleum
engineering majors is $83,121.

Solution:
Sample statistic (the average of $83,121 is based
on a subset of the population)
 Example: Distinguish Parameter and Statistic
Decide whether the numerical value describes a
population parameter or a sample statistic.

2. The 2182 students who accepted

admission offers to Northwestern
University in 2009 have an average SAT
score of 1442.

Solution:
Population parameter (the SAT score of 1442 is
based on all the students who accepted admission
offers in 2009)
 TRY IT YOURSELF!

In 2009, Major League Baseball teams spent a

total of $2,655,395,194 on players’ salaries.
(Source: USA Today)

a) Decide whether the numerical value is from

a population or a sample.

b) Specify whether the numerical value is a

parameter or a statistic.
 TRY IT YOURSELF!

The height of each player on a school’s basketball team.

• Population, because it is a collection of the heights of all the players on the school’s
basketball team.
A survey of 500 spectators from a stadium with 42,000 spectators.
• Sample, because the collection of the 500 spectators is a subset of the population.
The cholesterol levels of 20 patients in a hospital with 100 patients.
• Sample, because the collection of the 20 patients is a subset of the population.
The final score of each golfer in a tournament.
• Population, because it is a collection of all the golfers’ scores in the tournament.
Descriptive Statistics Inferential Statistics
Involves organizing, Involves using sample
summarizing, and data to draw
displaying data. conclusions about a
population.
e.g. Tables, charts,
averages

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Decide which part of the study represents the
descriptive branch of statistics. What conclusions
might be drawn from the study using inferential
statistics?
A large sample of men, aged 48,
was studied for 18 years. For
unmarried men, approximately
70% were alive at age 65. For
married men, 90% were alive at
age 65.
(Source: The Journal of Family Issues)

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Descriptive Statisctics:
Descriptive statistics involves statements such as “For
unmarried men, approximately 70% were alive at age 65” and
“For married men, 90% were alive at 65.”

Inferential Statisitcs:
A possible inference drawn from the study is that being
married is associated with a longer life for men.

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Data Classification

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 Qualitative Data
Consists of attributes, labels, or nonnumerical
entries.

Major Place of birth Eye color

Larson/Farber 4th ed. 19

Quantitative data
Numerical measurements or counts.

Age Weight of a letter Temperature

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Which data are Maker Cost
qualitative
Levi’s 545 (Skinny Legs) 39.99
data and
which are AG Adriano Goldschmied (Stilt Roll 188.00
quantitative Up in 5 years)
data? Joe’s Jeans (Cigarette in Kennedy) 158.00
True Religion (Lizzy Capri in Lonestar) 172.00
Hudson (Collin Signature Skinny in 189.00
Blackburn)
7 For all Mankind (The Skinny Crop 178.00
and ...)
Rock Revival (Celine SK18 Skinny) 178.00
G-Star (Fender skinny Pant) 190.00
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Nominal Ordinal Interval Ratio

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 Nominal level of measurement
 Qualitative data only
 Categorized using names, labels, or qualities
 No mathematical computations can be made

Ordinal level of measurement

• Qualitative or quantitative data
• Data can be arranged in order
• Differences between data entries is not
meaningful
Larson/Farber 4th ed. 23
Two data sets are shown. Which data set
consists of data at the nominal level? Which
data set consists of data at the ordinal level?
(Source: Nielsen Media Research)

Grades for Math 109: Political Parties:

A - Excellent Democrat
B - Good Republican
C - Okay Green
D - Needs improvement Independent
F - Failed Other

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Course Grades: A college Political Parties:
professor assigns grades Democratic, Republican,
of A, B, C, D, or F. Independent, Green or
Other.

Ordinal level (lists the Nominal level (lists the

grades you might get. parties - names, labels or
Data can be ordered. categories)
Difference between
grades is not meaningful.)

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Interval level of measurement
 Quantitative data
 Data can ordered
 Differences between data entries is
meaningful
 Zero represents a position on a scale (not an
inherent zero – zero does not imply “none”)

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Ratio level of measurement
 Similar to interval level
 Zero entry is an inherent zero (implies
“none”)
 A ratio of two data values can be formed
 One data value can be expressed as a
multiple of another

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 Two data sets are shown. Which data set consists of
data at the interval level? Which data set consists of
data at the ratio level? (Source: Major League Baseball)

Larson/Farber 4th ed. 28

Interval level
(Quantitative data. Can
find a difference between
two dates, but a ratio
does not make sense.) Ratio level (Can find
differences and write
ratios.)
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 Put data in Arrange Subtract Determine if one
Level of categories data in data data value is a
Measurement order values multiple of another
Nominal Yes No No No
Ordinal Yes Yes No No
Interval Yes Yes Yes No
Ratio Yes Yes Yes Yes

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Data Collection

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Observational study
 A researcher observes and measures
characteristics of interest of part of a
population.

 EXAMPLE :
Researchers observed and recorded the
mouthing behavior on nonfood objects of
children up to three years old.

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Experiment
 A treatment is applied to part of a population
and responses are observed.

 EXAMPLE:
An experiment was performed in which
diabetics took cinnamon extract daily while a
control group took none. After 40 days, the
diabetics who had the cinnamon reduced
their risk of heart disease while the control
group experienced no change.

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Simulation
 Uses a mathematical or physical model to
reproduce the conditions of a situation or
process.
 Often involves the use of computers.

 EXAMPLE :
Automobile manufacturers use simulations
with dummies to study the effects of crashes
on humans.

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Survey
 An investigation of one or more
characteristics of a population.
 Commonly done by interview, Internet,
phone, or mail.

 EXAMPLE :
A survey is conducted on a sample of female
physicians to determine whether the primary
reason for their career choice is financial
stability.

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Consider the following statistical studies. Which
method of data collection would you use to
collect data for each study?

1. A study of the effect of changing flight patterns on

the number of airplane accidents.

Solution:
Simulation (It is
impractical to create this
situation)
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2. A study of the effect of eating oatmeal on
lowering blood pressure.

Solution:
Experiment (Measure the
effect of a treatment –
eating oatmeal)

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3. A study of how fourth grade students solve a
puzzle.

Solution:
Observational study
(observe and measure
certain characteristics of
part of a population)

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4. A study of U.S. residents’ approval rating of
the U.S. president.

Solution:
Survey (Ask “Do you
approve of the way the
president is handling his
job?”)

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Thank You…

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