Unit 1 Probability and Statistics Mrs. Arena

Data

Information coming from observations, counts, measurements,
or responses.

Statistics

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

Population

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

Sample

A subset or a part of a population.

Parameter

A numerical description of a population characteristic.

Statistic

A numerical description of a sample characteristic.

Descriptive Statistics

The branch of statistics that involves the organization,
summarization, and display data.

Inferential Statistics

The branch of statistics that involves using a sample
to draw conclusions about a population. A basic tool
in the study of inferential statistics is probability.

Qualitative Data

Data that consists of attributes, labels,
categories or non-numerical entries. (Categorical)

Quantitative Data

Data that consists of numbers that are
measurements or counts.

Nominal

Data at this level are categorized using
names, labels or qualities. No mathematical
calculation can be made at this level. This is
always Qualitative.

Ordinal

Data at this level are arranged in order, or
ranked, but the differences between the
data are not meaningful. This can be
Qualitative or Quantitative.

Interval

Data at this level can be ordered, and
meaningful differences between the data can
be calculated. A zero entry simply
represents a position on a scale. This data is
always Quantitative.

Ratio

Data at this level can be ordered, and ratios
between the data can be calculated so that
one value can be meaningfully expressed as a
multiple of another. A zero will be a value.
This data is always Quantitative.

Univariate

Data collected with one variable.

Bivariate

Data collected with two variables.

Randomization

The process of randomly assigning
subjects to different treatment
groups.

Replication

The process of randomly assigning
subjects to different treatment
groups.

Experimental Study

The investigator assigns the
individuals to the experimental group or the
control group

Observational Study

The assignments of individuals to
the experimental group and control group are outside the
control of the investigator

Simulation

Uses a mathematical or physical model to reproduce the conditions of a situation or process. Often involves the use of computers. Allow you to study situations that are impractical or even dangerous to create in real life.

Survey

An investigation of one or more characteristics of a population. Surveys are carried out on people by asking them questions. Commonly done by interview, internet, phone, or mail.

Systematic Sample

A rule is used in selecting members
of a population, such as selecting every other person.

Convenience Sample

Easy to reach members of a
population are selected.

Random Sample

Each member of a population has an
equal chance of being selected.

Stratified Random Sample

The population is divided into distinct groups. Members are selected at random from each group.

Cluster Sample

Samples all chosen from one location or zone.

Representative Sample

Accurately reflects the characteristics of a population.

Unbiased Sample

A representative sample of the population you want information about.

Biased Sample

a sample that overrepresents or
underrepresents part of the population you
are sampling.

Biased Question

A question that encourages a particular
response.