CH 01

Dr. Saeed A.
Dobbah Alghamdi
Department of Statistics
Faculty of Sciences
Building 90, Office 26F41
King Abdulaziz University
http://saalghamdy.kau.edu.sa
Main Reference
Elementary Statistics
A Step by Step Approach
By
Allan Bluman
1
Chapter 1
The Nature of Probability

and Statistics
Objectives
1-2
 Demonstrate knowledge of statistical terms.
 Differentiate between the two branches of statistics.
 Identify types of data.
 Identify the measurement level for each variable.
 Identify the four basic sampling techniques.

 Explain the difference between an observational and an
experimental study.
© All rights are preserved for Dr. Saeed A. Dobbah Alghamdi, Department of Statistics, Faculty of Sciences, KAU
2
Introduction
1-3
 We are exposed to numerical information that

describes some aspects of the world around us
daily.
 For instance the daily news is filled with
numerical information about phenomenon such as
sports, health or social activities. For example, the
winning number of a football team, the most
reliable cars, the daily allowance of students, the
census of Saudi Arabia, and so on.
Introduction
1-4
 Statistics is used in almost all fields of human

endeavor, such as sports, public health and
education.
 Furthermore, it is used for analysis and as a tool in
scientific researches.
 Other use of it includes operation research, quality
control, estimation and prediction.
For more information see page 2 of Bluman's Book

3
Basic Statistical Terminology
1-5
Before going any further in this subject, we need first to

define the word STATISTICS.
 Statistics is the science of collecting, organizing,
summarizing, analyzing and draw conclusions from data.
 EXAMPLE
The 2010 Census of Saudi Arabia reveals the following:

- Population is 27,136,977 persons.
- 69% of the population are Saudi citizens.
- Number of houses is 4,643,151.

1-6
Now, in the stage of planning any statistical study, we need

to determine the POPULATION of our study.
 Population consists of all elements for the phenomenon
under a study.
 EXAMPLE

4
1-7
Sometimes it is not possible to collect the information from

each element in the population because it is impractical or
too expensive. Hence, we may select a representative
portion from the entire population which is called
SAMPLE.
 Sample is a group of elements selected randomly from a
population.
 EXAMPLE
A group of students is selected randomly from all

students studying in King Abdulaziz University (KAU)
for a research study.

1-8
Population
Sample
Figure 1.1: Population versus Sample

5
1-9
In order to gain knowledge about any phenomenon, DATA

are collected for VARIABLES that describe that
phenomenon.
 Data are the values that variables can assume to describe a
phenomenon.
 EXAMPLE
The values that the variable weight can take when

measuring the weights of students who are studying
Statistics in KAU.


1-10
In order to gain knowledge about any phenomenon, DATA

are collected for VARIABLES that describe that
phenomenon.
 Variable is a characteristic or an attribute of an item or
individual that can assume different values.

 EXAMPLE
Weight, height, gender, nationality, color, income,

country, ...

6
Descriptive and Inferential Statistics
1-11
Depending on how data are used, the subject of statistics is

divided into two main branches descriptive statistics and
inferential statistics. However, in any statistical study, you
should start with the descriptive statistics and then the
inferential statistics which is usually the goal of any study.
 Descriptive statistics consists of the collection,
organization, summarization, and presentation of data.
 Inferential statistics consists of generalizing from samples
to populations by performing estimations and hypothesis
testing, determining relationships among variables, and
making predictions.

1-12
 EXAMPLE (Descriptive)
- 69% of the population are Saudi citizens.
7
1-13
 EXAMPLE (Inferential)
- The estimated average height of KAU students is 1.75m
- There is a relationship between the performance of
students in mathematics classes and statistics classes.
- The population of Saudi Arabia is estimated to be
around 37 million persons by the year 2020.

Variables and Types of Data

1-14
 Qualitative variables can be placed into distinct

categories according to some characteristic or
attribute, e.g., flight classes, departments, gender,
color, ….
 Quantitative or scale variables are numerical in
nature and can be ordered or ranked, e.g., number
of passengers, weight, age, ….

8
Variables and Types of Data (cont’d.)
1-15
Quantitative or scale variables can also be classified

into two groups:
 Discrete variables assume values that can be
counted, e.g., number of rooms in buildings,
number of students in Stat 110, number of children
in families, ….
 Continuous variables can assume all values
between any two specific values, e.g., heights,
weights, temperature,….
Variables and Types of Data (cont’d.)

1-16
Qualitative variables can be classified into two

groups:
 Nominal—classifies data into categories that can
not be ordered or ranked, e.g., gender, color,
departments, ….
 Ordinal—classifies data into categories that can be
ranked, e.g., flight classes, ranking, grade letters,

….
For more information see pages 7 and 8 of Bluman's Book

9
Data Collection
1-17
Data can be collected in a variety of ways. One of

the most common ways is the use of surveys that
can done by using a variety of methods. Three of
the most common methods are:
 Telephone surveys
 Mailed questionnaire surveys

 Personal interview surveys

Sampling Techniques
1-18
 Random samples are selected using chance methods or

random methods.
 EXAMPLE
A group of 10 students is selected using random numbers
from 30 students to check the performance of a class.
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 3 13 21 8
13 14 15 16 17 18 6 25 30 7
19 20 21 22 23 24 11 17 20
25 26 27 28 29 30

10
Sampling Techniques
1-19
 Systematic samples are selected by using every k th number
after the first subject is randomly selected from 1 through k .
 EXAMPLE
Suppose we have 30 mobiles and a sample of 6 is needed.
Since 30/6=5, then k=5, thus every 5th mobile would be
selected. However, the first mobile numbered between 1 and
5 would be selected at random. Suppose mobile 3 were the
first mobile selected; then the sample would be
3 8
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
13 18
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
23 28
Sampling Techniques
1-20
 Stratified samples are selected by dividing the population
into groups (strata ), then subjects are randomly selected
from each group or strata.
 EXAMPLE
Suppose we want to get a sample form a high school but
we need to be sure that the sample contains subjects from
each level in the school.
. . .
. . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
. . . . .. . . . . . .
. . . . . . .
. . . . . .
. .
For more information see pages 12 of Bluman's Book

11
Sampling Techniques
1-21
 Cluster samples are selected by using intact groups called

clusters. Thus, dividing the population into groups and
then taking samples of the groups.
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
. . . . . .
. . . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . . .
. . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .
For more information see pages 12 of Bluman's Book

Observational and Experimental Studies

1-22
 In an observational study, the researcher observes

what is happening or what has happened and tries
to draw conclusions based on these observations.
 In an experimental study, the researcher

manipulates one of the variables and tries to
determine how that influences other variables.
For more information see pages 13, 14 of Bluman's Book

12
1-23
 EXAMPLE (Observational Study)

“Motorcycle owners are getting older and richer.”
Data were collected on the ages and incomes of
motorcycle owners for the years 1980 and 1998 and then
compared. The findings showed considerable differences
in the ages and incomes of motorcycle owners for the two
years.
In this study, the researcher observed what had happened
to the motorcycle owners over a period of time.

1-24
 EXAMPLE (Experimental Study)

Students are divided into two groups and had the students
perform as many sit-ups as possible in 90 sec. The first group
was told only to “Do your best,” while the second group was
told to try to increase the actual number of sit-ups done each
day by 10%. After four days, the subjects in the group who
were given the vague instructions to “Do your best” averaged
43 sit-ups, while the group that was given the more specific
instructions to increase the number of sit-ups by 10% averaged
56 sit-ups by the last day’s session. The conclusion then was
that athletes who were given specific goals performed better
than those who were not given specific goals.
13
1-25
Statistical studies usually include one or more independent

variables and one dependent variable.
 The independent variable in an experimental study is the
one that is being manipulated by the researcher. The

independent variable is also called the explanatory variable
 The dependent variable or outcome variable is the resultant
variable. Thus, The outcome variable is the variable that is

studied to see if it has changed significantly due to the
manipulation of the independent variable.
For more information see pages 14,15 of Bluman's Book


1-26
 EXAMPLE
In the sit-up study, the researchers gave the
groups two different types of instructions, general
and specific. Hence, the independent variable is
the type of instruction. The dependent variable,
then, is the resultant variable, that is, the number
of sit-ups each group was able to perform after
four days of exercise.
14
Statistical Packages
1-27
 Excel, SPSS, MINITAB, SAS and the TI-83

graphing calculator can be used to perform
statistical computations.
 Students should realize that the computer and
calculator merely give numerical answers and
save time and effort of doing calculations by hand.
Summary
1-28
 The two major areas of statistics are descriptive and

inferential. Inferential statistics is based on probability
theory.
 Data can be classified as qualitative or quantitative
 Quantitative data can be discrete or continuous
depending on the values they can assume.
 Qualitative data can be nominal or ordinal depending
on the category they can assume.
 When the populations to be studied are large,
statisticians use subgroups called samples.
15
Summary
1-29
 The four basic methods for obtaining samples are

random, systematic, stratified, and cluster.
 The two basic types of statistical studies are
observational and experimental.
 When conducting an experimental study, researchers
manipulate one or more of the independent or
explanatory variables and see how this manipulation
influences the dependent or outcome variable.
16

CH 01

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

CH 01

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Dr. Saeed A.

The Nature of Probability

 Demonstrate knowledge of statistical terms.

 Differentiate between the two branches of statistics.

 Identify types of data.

 Identify the measurement level for each variable.

 Identify the four basic sampling techniques.

 We are exposed to numerical information that

 Statistics is used in almost all fields of human

For more information see page 2 of Bluman's Book

Before going any further in this subject, we need first to

The 2010 Census of Saudi Arabia reveals the following:

Basic Statistical Terminology

Now, in the stage of planning any statistical study, we need

The 2010 Census of Saudi Arabia reveals the following:

Sometimes it is not possible to collect the information from

A group of students is selected randomly from all

Basic Statistical Terminology

Figure 1.1: Population versus Sample

For more information see page 4 of Bluman's Book

In order to gain knowledge about any phenomenon, DATA

The values that the variable weight can take when

For more information see page 3 of Bluman's Book

Basic Statistical Terminology

In order to gain knowledge about any phenomenon, DATA

individual that can assume different values.

Weight, height, gender, nationality, color, income,

For more information see page 3 of Bluman's Book

Depending on how data are used, the subject of statistics is

Descriptive and Inferential Statistics

For more information see page 4 of Bluman's Book

Variables and Types of Data

 Qualitative variables can be placed into distinct

For more information see page 6 of Bluman's Book

Quantitative or scale variables can also be classified

Variables and Types of Data (cont’d.)

Qualitative variables can be classified into two

ranked, e.g., flight classes, ranking, grade letters,

For more information see pages 7 and 8 of Bluman's Book

Data can be collected in a variety of ways. One of

 Mailed questionnaire surveys

For more information see pages 9 and 10 of Bluman's Book

 Random samples are selected using chance methods or

For more information see pages 10 and 11 of Bluman's Book

For more information see pages 12 of Bluman's Book

 Cluster samples are selected by using intact groups called

For more information see pages 12 of Bluman's Book

Observational and Experimental Studies

 In an observational study, the researcher observes

 In an experimental study, the researcher

For more information see pages 13, 14 of Bluman's Book

 EXAMPLE (Observational Study)

Observational and Experimental Studies

 EXAMPLE (Experimental Study)

Statistical studies usually include one or more independent

one that is being manipulated by the researcher. The

variable. Thus, The outcome variable is the variable that is

For more information see pages 14,15 of Bluman's Book

Observational and Experimental Studies

 Excel, SPSS, MINITAB, SAS and the TI-83

 The two major areas of statistics are descriptive and

 The four basic methods for obtaining samples are

You might also like