APEX AP Stats 1.1 Overview Studyguide

Categorical Data

Data in the form of names or labels, rather than numbers; cannot be sorted and manipulated mathematically as numbers; but, can sometimes appear as numbers; these numbers shouldn't be mathematically manipulated.

Continuous Data

Measured data that can be whole numbers, fractions, or decimals of any length; always numeric.

Data

Collection of pieces of information.

Data Collection

Gathering information for selected population members through telephone surveys, written questionnaires, or other methods.

Data Organization and Analysis

Statistical techniques that allow us to describe characteristics of a data set. Examples include calculating statistics (such as a mean) and making graphs and charts that show the shape of a data distribution.

Descriptive Statistics

The process of describing the characteristics of a group (a sample) for which we have data.

Discrete Data

Counted or tallied data, which can only be whole numbers or names; can be numeric or categorical.

Inferential Statistics

The process of comparing, testing assertions, or predicting something about a population, given what we know about a sample from that population.

Probability-Based Inference

Statistical techniques that allow us to draw objective conclusions based on probability theories about populations from which we have sampled.