Descriptive statistics - - correct answer ✔✔The study of methods and tools for collecting data, and the
organization, summarization and display of data. are numbers that are used to summarize and describe
data. The word "data" refers to the information that has been collected from an experiment, a survey, a
historical record, etc. If we are analyzing birth certificates, for example, a descriptive statistic might be
the percentage of certificates issued in New York State, or the average age of the mother. Any other
number we choose to compute also counts as a descriptive statistic for the data from which the statistic
is computed. Several descriptive statistics are often used at one time to give a full picture of the data.
Descriptive statistics do not involve generalizing beyond the data at hand. Generalizing from our data to
another set of cases is the job of inferential statistics.
Inferential statistics - - correct answer ✔✔Are used to make generalizations or predictions based on data
that have been summarized. Typically, this involves obtaining data from a sample that has been selected
from a larger population and using those data to make a generalization about that population. Inferential
statistics are valuable when examination of each member of an entire population is not convenient or
possible. For example, to measure the diameter of each thermometer probe that is manufactured in a
facility is impractical, but you can measure the diameters of a representative random sample of probes.
You can use the information from the sample to make generalizations about the diameters of all of the
probes.
Effective interpretation of data (inference) is based on good procedures for producing data and
thoughtful examination of the data. In this class, you may encounter what might seem like too many
mathematical formulas for interpreting data. The goal of statistics is not to perform numerous
calculations using the formulas, but to gain an understanding of your data. The calculations can be done
using a calculator or a computer. The understanding must come from you. If you can thoroughly grasp
the basics of statistics, you can be more confident in the decisions you make in life.The systems and
techniques for making probability-based
decisions and drawing conclusions about a population based on data collected from a
representative sample.
Population - correct answer ✔✔A population, in statistics, is a discrete group of people, animals or
things that can be
identified by at least one common characteristic for the purposes of data collection
and statistical analysis.
, Data
Collection - correct answer ✔✔Data collection is the systematic approach to gathering and measuring
information
from a variety of sources in order to answer questions, evaluate outcomes. and make
predictions.
Statistical
Analysis - correct answer ✔✔Statistical analysis is using the mathematics of probability and uncertainty
to make
inference about a population, based on a random sample from that population.
Sample - correct answer ✔✔A sample is a part of a population selected in such a way as to be
representative of
the overall population.
Parameter - correct answer ✔✔A parameter is a (numerical) description of a population characteristic.
Statistic - correct answer ✔✔A statistic is a (numerical) description of a sample characteristic. In the
broadest sense, "statistics" refers to a range of techniques and procedures for analyzing, interpreting,
displaying, and making decisions based on data.
Descriptive
Statistics - correct answer ✔✔Involves the organization, summarization and display of data.
Inferential
Statistics - correct answer ✔✔The science of drawing conclusions about a population based on data
collected from
a sample.
Probability - correct answer ✔✔A basic tool in the study and application of inferential statistics.
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