Math Stats Vocab

Population

The entire group of individuals we want an information about

(All the students at PCHS)

Sample

A subset of the population

(All the students taking Math III Honors)

Parameter

The value that represents the characteristics describing the population?

Statistic

Value that represents the characteristic describing the sample

Simple Random Sample

n individuals from the population are chosen in such a way that every individual has an equal chance of being selected

(The best kind of sample)

Stratified Sample

The population is divided into group called strata based on similar characteristics, then the individuals are randomly selected from each group

Cluster Sample

The population is divided into groups called Clusters based on location and convenience then 1 or 2 groups are randomly selected, and everyone in those groups is sampled

Systemic Sample

Every nth individual is chosen from a selected starting point in the population

(every 5th person)

(every 10th person)

etc.

Convenience Sample

Individuals are chosen from a group that is easily accessible to the researcher

Voluntary Response Sample

Individuals who volunteer for the sample

Voluntary Response (Bias)

People are self selected to respond

Convenience (Bias)

Sampling individuals who are easy to ask

Under-coverage (Bias)

Some groups of the population are underrepresented of the sample

Non-response (Bias)

Occurs when an individual for the sample cannot be contacted or unwilling

Response (Bias)

Occurs when you get false/misleading answers

(caused by the respondent or the interviewer)

Ex. Smoking could kill your child. Would you allow your child to smoke?

Lurking Variables (Bias)

Variables that are not accounted for in the study and may not have been considered by the researcher

Wording (Bias)

When the wording of a question is confusing/misleading, leading to dishonest or skewed opinions