Chapter 1

Introduction to Statistics

MATH 1050Y
A Non-Calculus Based Introduction to Probability & Statistical Methods
Section A FW 2012-13 Instructor: Jaclyn Semple

1-1 Overview 1-2 The Nature of Data 1-3 Uses and Abuses of Statistics 1-4 Design of Experiments

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Overview
Polls, studies, surveys and other data collecting tools collect data from a small part of a larger group so that we can learn something about the larger group. A goal of statistics is to learn about a large group by examining data from some of its members.

Statistics
Statistics is a collection of methods for: planning experiments & obtaining data

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organizing, summarizing, presenting, analyzing, interpreting, and drawing conclusions based on the data

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Population and Sample

A population is the complete collection of all individuals (scores, people, measurements, and so on) to be studied. A sample is a subcollection of elements drawn from a population.

Parameter and Statistic

Closely related to the concepts of population and sample are the concepts of parameter and statistic. A parameter is a numerical measurement describing some characteristic of a population. A statistic is a numerical measurement describing some characteristic of a sample.

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Parameter
A parameter is a numerical measurement describing some characteristic of a population. Example: The 1881 Canada Census reported that 12.4% of the population of Yale District, British Columbia, belonged to the Buddhist religion. Assuming that the list of 8951 residents for the region did not overlook anyone, then the 12.4% is a parameter.
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Statistic
A statistic is a numerical measurement describing some characteristic of a sample. Example: In a survey of 1031 tournamentlevel golfers, 44% had the careerthreatening condition known as the yips. The figure 44% is a statistic because it is based on a sample, not the entire population of all professional golfers.
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Chapter 1
Introduction to Statistics
1-1 Overview 1-2 The Nature of Data 1-3 Uses and Abuses of Statistics 1-4 Design of Experiments

Data
Data are observations (such as measurements, genders, survey responses) that have been collected.

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There are two types of data; quantitative data and qualitative data.

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Quantitative Data
Quantitative data consist of numbers representing counts or measurements. Examples: The amount of weight that people lose on a diet program. The ages of respondents in a survey. The marks that students get on a midterm exam.
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Qualitative Data
Qualitative (or categorical or attribute) data can be separated into different categories that are distinguished by some nonnumeric characteristic. Examples: The genders of your classmates. The colours of cars in a parking lot. The names of cities in Ontario.
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Types of Quantitative Data

Quantitative data can be further divided into two types; discrete data and continuous data.
Quantitative

Discrete Quantitative Data

Discrete data result from either a finite number of possible values or a countable number of possible values. By countable we mean that the possible values are 0, 1, 2, and so on. Examples: The number of eggs laid by chickens. The number dots that appear when you roll a single die.
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Discrete

Continuous

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Continuous Quantitative Data

Continuous data result from infinitely many possible values that can be associated with points on a continuous scale in such a way that there are no gaps or interruptions. Examples: The heights of your classmates. The amount of milk produced by cows.

Levels of Measurement
Another way to classify data is to use four levels of measurement:

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Nominal Ordinal Interval Ratio

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Nominal Level of Measurement

The nominal level of measurement is characterized by data that consist of names, labels, or categories only. The data cannot be arranged in ordering scheme. Examples of nominal level data: Survey responses of yes, no, and undecided. The colour of peoples eyes.
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Ordinal Level of Measurement

The ordinal level of measurement involves data that may be arrange in some order, but differences between data values either cannot be determined or are meaningless. Examples or ordinal level data: Letter grades of students in a course. A food critic rates a restaurant as excellent, good, average, or bad.

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Interval Level of Measurement

The interval level of measurement is like the ordinal level, with the additional property that we can determine meaningful amounts of differences between data. However, there is no inherent zero starting point (where none of the quantity is present). Examples of interval level data: Outdoor temperatures in C. Years in the Gregorian calendar.
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Ratio Level of Measurement

The ratio level of measurement is the interval level modified to include the inherent zero starting point. For values at this level, differences and ratios are both meaningful. Examples of ratio level data: The heights of trees in Prince Albert National Park. The prices of university textbooks.
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Levels of Measurement
In summary, we have the following four possible levels of measurement for data. Nominal categories with no natural ordering. Ordinal categories with natural ordering. Interval differences have meaning but there is no natural zero. Ratio differences and ratios have meaning, and there is a natural zero.
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Summary of Data & Measurements

Data Qualitative Quantitative

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Numerical

Non numerical

Numerical

Nominal

Ordinal

Nominal Ordinal

Interval Ratio

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Pause & Practice

Determine whether the following examples give qualitative or quantitative data? (If quantitative, state whether it is discrete or continuous). AND
A. B. C. D. E.

Pause & Practice

Qualitative, nominal Qualitative, ordinal Quantitative, discrete, ratio Quantitative, discrete, interval Quantitative, continuous, ratio

1. Rating of movies as G, PG and R

Determine which of the four levels of measurement is most appropriate. (nominal, ordinal, interval, or ratio)
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Pause & Practice

A. B. C. D. E. Qualitative, nominal Qualitative, ordinal Quantitative, discrete, interval Quantitative, discrete, ratio Quantitative, continuous, interval A. B. C. D. E.

Pause & Practice

Qualitative, nominal Qualitative, ordinal Quantitative, discrete, ratio Quantitative, continuous, ratio Quantitative, continuous, interval

2. Number of candy bars sold in a fundraiser

3. The time it takes a student to drive to college

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Pause & Practice

A. B. C. D. E. Qualitative, ordinal Quantitative, discrete, ratio Quantitative, discrete, interval Quantitative, continuous, ratio Quantitative, continuous, interval

Coming up
Our main aim for the next few weeks will be to summarize and describe quantitative data

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4. Temperatures of Haliburton lake at various locations on its surface.

Assignment #1 will be posted on Monday Due Sept. 18th in seminar For next class: Read section 1-3 & 1-4

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