Maria Teresa L.

Revilala BSA2A

Descriptive Statistics When given a set of measurements, we need to be able to summarize and organize it to facilitate its use. Information is more useful when arranged in a systematic manner. We must display them so that the relevant features of the set are noticeable, failure to do so present us unambiguous and complex data. The branch of Statistics that presents techniques for describing sets of measurement is called Descriptive Statistics. It consists of procedures used to summarize and describe the important characteristics of a set of measurement. Examples: 27% of U.S. male college students believe life is "A meaningless existential hell." Descriptive Statement: Inferential Statistics A major part of Statistics deals with making decisions and forecasts about populations based on results obtained from samples. For example, we may make some decisions about the views of San Beda College Alabang Accountancy students on the different grading system imposed on them by their school. To do so, we may select 50 students each from all year levels, have them answer a survey, and make a decision based on this information. The area of Statistics that deals with such decision-making procedures in called Inferential Statistics. It consists of methods that use sample results to help make decisions or predictions about a population. Qualitative Variable These are variables that cannot be measured numerically. Examples: o o Political affiliation: Republican, Democrat, Independent Taste ranking: excellent, good, fair, poor

Quantitative Variable These are variables that can be measured numerically. Examples: o o x = prime interest rate x = volume of grape juice in a glass

Discrete Variable A variable whose values are countable is called a discrete variable. For example, the number of Lamborghini cars sold per day must be 0, 1, 2, 3 and we can count it. It cannot be between 2 and 4. Examples: o o Number of defective mirrors returned for replacement Number of new jewelry sales

Continuous Variable A continuous variable can assume the infinitely many values corresponding to the points on a line interval. For example, the time taken to complete your final exam is an example of a continuous variable because it can assume any value maybe, between 40 to 60 minutes. Examples: o o The winning time for an athlete running in the Olympic Games The distance of your house to your school

Population Population is the collection of all elements whose characteristics are being studied. This includes the set of items of interest. It includes but not limited to human population. This means that it can be individuals, items, or objects whose characteristics are being studied. Examples: o o Sample The selection of a few elements from the population is called a sample. It is a specified number of measurements or data drawn from the population. The whole population may be difficult and time consuming to enumerate, hence, the need for a sample. Examples: o o Few hundred voters in New York City Few thousand companies in New Jersey City All voters in a city who will vote for Obama All companies in New Jersey City

Nominal Scale A nominal scale is a discrete classification of data, in which data are neither measured nor ordered but subjects are merely allocated to distinct categories. Here, the data is classified according to categories useful to the decision maker. Examples: o o A record of voters candidate choices A record of buyer laptop brand preferences

Ordinal Scale An ordinal scale of measurement represents an ordered series of relationships or rank order. Unlike the nominal scale, it is arranged according to order, as in first, second, and third. Examples: o o On a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being no pain and 10 being high pain, how much pain are you in today? Scale of winners in a race

Interval A scale that represents quantity and has equal units but for which zero represents simply an additional point of measurement is an interval scale. In these scales are determinable quantities with equal units of interval. And, zero is not the end of the scale. It is not the absolute value, but, just another point on the scale. Examples: o o Ratio The ratio scale is similar to the interval scale in the sense that it also represents quantity and has equality of units. But, note that they differ because this scale has an absolute zero. A negative value below zero is impossible. Examples: o o Centimeter scale Kilometer scale Fahrenheit scale Celsius scale