Statistics for Research

in Education
Meeting 1 : Scope of Statistics, Data Classification,
Measurement Scale, Population and Sample, and
Random Sampling
Description of the course

This course helps students to see and learn about truth in a

research, research of education for instance, as we learn the
real truth from God. The scopes of this course are
terminology in statistics, data classification, data dispersion,
data processing, data analysis, making conclusion, and
interpretation of educational research include hypotheses
testing.

Statistics by Meiva Marthaulina

• Statistics?

“There is not a square inch in the whole

domain of our human existence over which
Christ, who sovereign, does not cry, Mine”

Abraham Kuyper
Statistics by Meiva Marthaulina
 Terminology
Statistics is the science of collecting, organizing, analyzing,
and interpreting data in order to make decisions.

Data consists of information coming from observations,

counts, measurements, or responses.

Statistics by Meiva Marthaulina

A population is the A sample is a
collection of all subset of a
outcomes, responses,
measurement, or counts population.
that are of interest.

Statistics by Meiva Marthaulina

 Example:

In a recent survey, 250 college students at

Union College were asked if they consume
coffee regularly. 35 of the students said yes.
Identify the population and the sample.

Statistics by Meiva Marthaulina

 Parameters & Statistics

A parameter is a numerical description of a population

characteristic.

A statistic is a numerical description of a sample

characteristic.

Parameter Population

Statistic Sample

Statistics by Meiva Marthaulina

• Example:
• Decide whether the numerical value describes a population
parameter or a sample statistic.

a.) A recent survey of a sample of 450 college students

reported that the average weekly income for
students is $325.
Because the average of $325 is based on a sample,
this is a sample statistic.
b.) The average weekly income for all students is $405.
Because the average of $405 is based on a
population, this is a population parameter.

Statistics by Meiva Marthaulina

Branches of Statistics
The study of statistics has two major branches:
descriptive statistics and inferential statistics.
Statistics

Descriptive Inferential
statistics statistics

Involves the Involves using a

organization, sample to draw
summarization, conclusions about
and display of data. a population.
Statistics by Meiva Marthaulina
• Example:
• In a recent study, volunteers who had less than 6
hours of sleep were four times more likely to answer
incorrectly on a science test than were participants
who had at least 8 hours of sleep. Decide which part
is the descriptive statistic and what conclusion might
be drawn using inferential statistics.
The statement “four times more likely to answer
incorrectly” is a descriptive statistic. An inference
drawn from the sample is that all individuals
sleeping less than 6 hours are more likely to answer
science question incorrectly than individuals who
sleep at least 8 hours.

Statistics by Meiva Marthaulina

Statistics by Meiva Marthaulina
 Types of Data
Data sets can consist of two types of data: qualitative
data and quantitative data.
Data

Qualitative Quantitative
Data Data
Consists of Consists of numerical
attributes, labels, or measurements or
nonnumerical counts.
entries.
Statistics by Meiva Marthaulina
• Example:
• The grade point averages of five students are listed in the table.
Which data are qualitative data and which are quantitative data?

Student GPA
Sally 3.22
Bob 3.98
Cindy 2.75
Mark 2.24
Kathy 3.84

Qualitative data Quantitative data

 Data

Qualitative Quantitative

Ordinal
Nominal Interval Ratio
(Rank)

tell us about the order, they

Nominal scales typically measures of Interval scales are tell us the exact value
are used for non-numeric concepts numeric scales in which between units, AND they
labeling variables like satisfaction, we know both the order also have an absolute
happiness, and the exact differences zero–which allows for a
discomfort, etc. between the values. wide range of
both descriptive and
inferential to be applied
Ex. Gender, hair
color
Ex. Measuring opinion Ex. Measuring
temperature Ex. Score of
(agree, disagree), Statistics
satisfication level Exam
Levels of Measurement
The level of measurement determines which statistical
calculations are meaningful. The four levels of
measurement are: nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio.

Nominal
Lowest to
Levels of Ordinal highest

Measurement Interval
Ratio

Statistics by Meiva Marthaulina

Nominal Level of Measurement
Data at the nominal level of measurement are
qualitative only.
Nominal
Levels of Calculated using names, labels, or
Measurement qualities. No mathematical
computations can be made at this level.

Colors in the Names of students in Textbooks you are

countries your class using this semester
flags

Statistics by Meiva Marthaulina

 Ordinal Level of Measurement
Data at the ordinal level of measurement are qualitative
or quantitative.

Levels of
Measurement Ordinal
Arranged in order, measures of non-
numeric concepts like satisfaction,
happiness, discomfort.

Numbers on the back Top 50 songs played

of each player’s shirt on the radio

Statistics by Meiva Marthaulina

 Interval Level of Measurement
Data at the interval level of measurement are
quantitative. A zero entry simply represents a position on
a scale; the entry is not an inherent zero.
Levels of
Measurement
Interval
Arranged in order, the differences between data
entries can be calculated.

Temperatures Years on a timeline

Statistics by Meiva Marthaulina

 Ratio Level of Measurement
Data at the ratio level of measurement are similar to the
interval level, but a zero entry is meaningful.
A ratio of two data values can be formed so one
Levels of
data value can be expressed as a ratio.
Measurement

Ratio

Ages Grade point averages Weights

Statistics by Meiva Marthaulina

 Simple Random Sample

 Stratified Random Sample

 Cluster sampling

 Systematic

 Convenience

Types of Sampling
Statistics by Meiva Marthaulina
Simple Random Sample

• Every subset of a specified size n from the population has

an equal chance of being selected

Statistics by Meiva Marthaulina

Stratified Random Sample
• The population is divided into two or more groups called
strata, according to some criterion, such as geographic
location, grade level, age, or income, and subsamples are
randomly selected from each strata.

Statistics by Meiva Marthaulina

Cluster Sample
• The population is divided into subgroups (clusters) like
families. A simple random sample is taken of the
subgroups and then all members of the cluster selected are
surveyed.

Statistics by Meiva Marthaulina

 Cluster sampling
Section 1 Section 2

Section 3

Section 5

Section 4

Statistics by Meiva
Marthaulina
Systematic Sample
• Every kth member ( for example: every
10th person) is selected from a list of
all population members.

Statistics by Meiva Marthaulina

Convenience Sample

• Selection of whichever individuals are easiest to reach

• It is done at the “convenience” of the researcher

Statistics by Meiva Marthaulina