Chapter 2: Describing Data - Categorical Variables

Flashcards covering key definitions and concepts related to describing data and categorical variables.

How is a Categorical Variable defined?

It divides the cases into groups, placing each case into exactly one of two or more categories.

How is a Quantitative Variable defined?

It measures or records a numerical quantity for each case.

How is the proportion in a category of a categorical variable calculated?

It is calculated by dividing the Number in that Category by the Total number in the Population (or Sample).

What is the purpose of a relative frequency table?

It displays proportions across all categories of a categorical variable, where the sum of all proportions will add to 1 (unless there are round-off errors).

What type of information does a two-way table show?

It shows the relationship between two categorical variables.

How are variables typically arranged in a two-way table?

Categories for one variable are listed down the rows, and categories for the second variable are listed across the columns.

If the outcome of a professional soccer game is recorded as 'Whether or not the home team won,' what type of variable is this?

This is a categorical variable.

Why is it incorrect to conclude that riding bicycles is more dangerous than playing football solely based on a higher proportion of bicycle-related incidents?

It is incorrect because there are probably many more children riding bicycles than playing football, meaning the total exposure or base rate must be considered.