Module 2.

Basic statistics concepts

Learning Objectives:
1. Define basic statistics concepts
2. Give examples of some basic research and statistics concepts.
3. Describe the similarities and differences between some statistics concepts.

Basic statistics concepts

Constant is a fixed value or characteristic. E.g. the surname Reyes; 20 years as a

person’s age; blue as the colour of his friend’s eyes.

Continuous scale is a scale where a variable can be measured with indeterminate on

indefinite intermediary or in-between values. Eg. 10.333333… kg for weight

Cardinal numeral (number) a value that can be added, subtracted, multiplied, divided
and subjected to other mathematical operations. E.g. your weight

Data are values which are collected as a result of observation. E.g. the vital statistics of
Ms. Taylor which are 41”-21”-41”

Descriptive statistics refers to statistical tools that concern a situation where a parameter
is used to describe its concerned population, and a statistic is used to provide a picture of its
concerned sample.

Discontinuous (discrete) scale. A scale in which a variable may take on only specified
values such as counting number (integer) only. E.g. the number of your friends

Inferential statistics refers to statistical tools that concern a situation where a statistic is
used to describe the population of its concerned sample through tests of relationship and
difference.

Interval scale is a scale measured in cardinal numbers but with an arbitrary zero point
hence no proportionate pair of ratio of numbers starting from this zero point will be equal and
equal ratios can be made only if the numbers commence from the absolute zero point. E.g. the
temperature scale in centigrade vis-à-vis Kelvin scale

Nominal numeral. is a value that identifies or gives name. E.g your ID number

Ordinal numeral is a value that represents position in a series. E.g. your rank in your
class

Parameter is a characteristic of a population arising from the summative computation of

the entire data taken from such population. E.g. the average age of all the female residents of
Barangay Ginebra. General examples are population arithmetic mean (μ), population correlation
(ρ ), population variance (δ2), and population standard deviation (δ).

Percentage is ratio in decimal multiplied by 100. E.g. % = (0.5)(100) = 50

 Population is a complete set of individuals, objects or measurements. E.g. All the female
residents of barangay Ginebra, all the ages in years of Vee University students; the colours of
all the cars in the world.

Ratio is the quotient of a numerator and a denominator. E.g. 1/2

Sample is a portion of a population. E.g. Some of the female residents of Barangay

Ginebra. A probability (random) sample allows the application of inferential statistics. E.g. 10 of
the 1,000 female residents of barangay ginebra, the ages of 10 students of Vee University; the
colours of 10 cars in the world.

Statistic is characteristic of a sample, arising from the summative computation of data

taken only from such sample . E.g. the average age of some of the female residents of
Barangay Ginebra. General examples are sample arithmetic mean (), sample correlation (r),
sample variance (s2), and sample standard deviation (s).

Statistics is a body of knowledge that deals with the collection organization and analysis
of data, a tool used in the collection, organization and analysis of data, and the plural of statistic.