1.

Define the following concepts in Statistics and use examples, diagrams where appropriate to
enrich your answers
(i) Sample- it is a group of items or people taken from the population for examination. It is a
representative of a population. If our population is relatively small and easily surveyed, we
may very well examine every time in the population. However in practice populations are
usually too big or items too inaccessible to enable the whole population to be examined.
One may have to be satisfied with examining only a part or sample of the population. E.g.
random sample.
(ii) Population- it is the total number of items, individuals, groups or units collectively under
investigation. It can be entire group or body having a common characteristics to be studied.
If we require a compete population, human or otherwise then we say a consensus is
required.
(iii) Primary data-this is data that an investigator collects himself and because he knows the
conditions under which they are collected and he’s aware of any limitations they may
contain, these methods are personal interview, questionnaires and observation.
(iv) Discrete variables-these are numerical values and the numerical values taken can only be of
particular numbers. E.g. number of cars passing a certain spot (uhuru highway) in a given
period of time.
(v) Lorenz curve-it is a special graphical technique of showing the degree of inequality there is
in the distribution of a variable among a population. It is used by economists to show the
uneven distribution of wealth. The Lorenz curve plots cumulative percentages of the
variable and of the population possessing the variable on the two axes of the same graph.
2. What are the considerations a statistician will take account when using secondary data?

(i) Suitable Purpose of Investigation-The investigator must ensure that the data are suitable for
the purpose of enquiry.

(ii) Inadequate Data-Adequacy of the data is to be judged in the light of the requirements of
the survey as well as the geographical area covered by the available data.

(iii) Definition of Units-The investigator must ensure that the definitions of units which are used
by him are the same as in the earlier investigation.

(iv) Degree of Accuracy-The investigator should keep in mind the degree accuracy maintained
by each investigator.

(v) Time and Condition of Collection of Facts-It should be ascertained before making use of
available data to which period and conditions, the data was collected.

(vi) Comparison-Investigator should keep in mind whether the secondary data' reasonable,
consistent and comparable.

(vii) Test Checking-The use of the secondary data must do test checking and see that totals and
rates have been correctly calculated.

(viii) Homogeneous Conditions-It is not safe to take published statistics at their face value
without knowing their means, values and limitations.
 3. Distinguish between the following concepts in statistics
(i) Panel method sampling and cluster sampling

Panel method sampling-in this sampling method data is collected from the same sample on more
than one occasion. The initial sample can be selected by any of the random sampling whereas
cluster sampling is the sampling that consists of a list of group of individuals rather than the
individuals themselves. A random sample of these groups or cluster is taken and then observations
are made on every individuals within this selected groups.

(ii) Continuous variable and categorical variable

Continuous variable-these are numerical variables but unlike discrete variables they are not
restricted to specific values instead, the variables are measured on a continuous scale e.g. ages of
objects, while categorical variables are descriptive variables e.g. color of hair, eyes etc. in most
cases, it’s subjective or a matter of opinion.

(iii) Frequency polygon and frequency curve

Frequency polygon- it is a frequency distribution constructed by drawing panel lines connecting the
midpoints of the top of each column. It should be continued down to cut the horizontal axis at what
would be the midpoint of an extra class having zero frequency while a frequency curve is the shape
of the frequency distribution is usually shown by a frequency curve. The frequency curve can be
approximated from a histogram or a frequency polygon by superimposing a curve.

(iv) Ogive and histogram

Ogive –it is a cumulative frequency polygon, it is a type of frequency polygon that shows cumulative
frequencies. It plots cumulative frequency on the y-axis and class boundaries along the x-axis,
whereas a histogram is a frequency distribution with two axes, the horizontal axis which shows the
class frequency. The area of the rectangle formed by each columns represents the frequency with
which that value of the variable occurs.

(v) Lorenz curve and a pie chart.

Lorenz curve- it is a special graphical technique of showing the degree of inequality there is in the
distribution of a variable among a population, while a pie chart is a circular statistical graph which is
divided into slices to illustrate numerical proportions. In a pie chart the arc length of each slice (and
consequently its central angle and area) is proportional to the quantity it represents.