Module 5A | Basic Concepts in Statistics

Lesson Objectives At the end of the lessons, you will be able to:

1. To understand the different concepts in statistics;

2. To differentiate the major fields in statistics; and
3. To distinguish the different levels of measurement.

Discussion Let us Begin!

I. Definition of Statistics

Statistics is a scientific body of knowledge that deals with the collection,

organization, presentation, analysis and interpretation of data.

Note: Statistics is not a branch of mathematics.

II. Basic Concepts in Statistics

A. Population vs Sample

Population – a collection of all elements under

consideration in any statistical study.

Sample – a part or subset of the population

from which information is collected.

B. Variable, Observation, Data

Variable – is a characteristic or attribute of objects, people or events that can

take different values.

Observation – is a realized value of a variable.

Data – is the collection of observations.

C. Classification of Variables

Figure 1. Classification of Variables

Prepared by: Rafael J. Eusebio Jr. Universidad de Manila SY 2020-2021

 Variable

Qualitative Quantitative

Discrete Continuous

1. Qualitative variable – is conceptualized and analyzed as distinct categories

Example: eye color, sex, type of school

2. Quantitative variable – any characteristic that we measure or count in

numbers

Examples: weight, height, monthly income

 Discrete variable – assume exact values

 Continuous variable – assume infinite values

D. Sources of Data

1. Primary data – data that come from the original source.

2. Secondary data – data that taken from previously recorded data.

E. Parameter vs Statistic

Parameter – a summary measure describing a specific characteristic of the

population.

Statistic – a summary measure describing a specific characteristic of the

sample.

III. Division of Statistics

1. Descriptive statistics – includes all the techniques used in organizing,

summarizing, and presenting the data on hand without drawing conclusion or
inferences about a large group.

2. Inferential statistics – includes all the techniques used in analyzing the sample
data that will lead to generalizations about a population from which the sample
came from.

Prepared by: Rafael J. Eusebio Jr. Universidad de Manila SY 2020-2021

IV. Level of Measurement

1. Nominal – is mutually exclusive and exhaustive, meaning it is used to

differentiate classes or categories for purely classification or identification
purposes.

Example:
 Civil Status - Single, Married, Separated, Widowed
 Sex – Male, Female

2. Ordinal – it is used in ranking.

Example:
 Socio-Economic Classification – A, B, C, D,E
 Highest Educational Attainment – Elementary Level, High School Level,
College Level
 Sizes – Small, Medium, Large

3. Interval – used to classify an element into distinct categories. The system has
no true zero.

Example:
 Temperature in degrees

4. Ratio – it has a true zero point.

Example:
 Age
 Weight
 Salary

Figure 2. Level of Measurement

Nominal

Qualitative
Ordinal

Interval
Quantitative

Ratio

Prepared by: Rafael J. Eusebio Jr. Universidad de Manila SY 2020-2021

 Activities: It is your turn!

Answer the following: (20pts)

A. In each of the statements, tell whether descriptive or inferential statistics have been
used.

1. The monthly average expenditure of per household is P10, 000.

2. A researcher tested the difference on the customers buying preference in
different brand of cellphones.
3. The Philippine Regulation Commission (PRC) ranks the result of the Certified
Public Accountant professional examination in 2018.
4. The effect of COVID19 virus to the death rate worldwide.
5. A campaign manager analyzes the effect of TV ads on the promotion of a
senatorial candidate.

B. Classify each variable as qualitative or quantitative.

1. Cost of personal computers

2. Favorite mall
3. Useful lifetime (in hours) of 100-watt light bulbs
4. Brand of personal computers
5. Amount of money spent

C. Determine whether each of the following is nominal, ordinal, interval or ratio.

1. Pag-IBIG number
2. Temperature measured in Kelvin scale
3. Beauty contest winners
4. Intelligence Quotient of employees
5. Salaries of the top ten CEOs in Makati City
6. Number of votes
7. Nationality of certain individuals
8. Courses offered in university belt
9. Military ranks
10. Number of votes in each Senatorial candidate

List of References:

PSRTI (2018). Training Materials on Basic Statistics 1.

Sirug (). Basic Probability and Statistics
https://www.omniconvert.com/what-is/sample-size/

Prepared by: Rafael J. Eusebio Jr. Universidad de Manila SY 2020-2021