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Chapter 1: Exploring Data

Introduction
Data Analysis: Making Sense of Data
The Practice of Statistics, 4th edition - For AP*
STARNES, YATES, MOORE
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Chapter 1
Exploring Data

 Introduction: Data Analysis: Making Sense of Data

 1.1 Analyzing Categorical Data
 1.2 Displaying Quantitative Data with Graphs
 1.3 Describing Quantitative Data with Numbers
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Introduction
Data Analysis: Making Sense of Data

Learning Objectives
After this section, you should be able to…

 DEFINE “Individuals” and “Variables”

 DISTINGUISH between “Categorical” and “Quantitative” variables
 DEFINE “Distribution”
 DESCRIBE the idea behind “Inference”
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Statistics is the science of data.
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Data Analysis
Data Analysis is the process of organizing, displaying,


summarizing, and asking questions about data.

Definitions:
Individuals – objects (people, animals, things)
described by a set of data

Variable - any characteristic of an individual

Categorical Variable Quantitative Variable

– places an individual into – takes numerical values for
one of several groups or which it makes sense to find
categories. an average.
 A variable generally takes on many different values.

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In data analysis, we are interested in how often a

Data Analysis
variable takes on each value.
Definition:
Distribution – tells us what values a variable
takes and how often it takes those values

Example
2009 Fuel Economy Guide 2009 Fuel Economy Guide 2009 Fuel Economy Guide
MODEL MPG MODEL MPG <new>MODEL MPG <new>
1 Acura RL 922 Dodge Avenger 1630 Mercedes-Benz E350 24
2 Audi A6 Quattro 1023 Hyundai Elantra 1733 Mercury Milan 29
3 Bentley Arnage 1114 Jaguar XF 1825 Mitsubishi Galant 27
4 BMW 5281 1228 Kia Optima 1932 Nissan Maxima 26
5 Buick Lacrosse 1328 Lexus GS 350 2026 Rolls Royce Phantom 18
6 Cadillac CTS 1425 Lincolon MKZ 2128 Saturn Aura 33
7 Chevrolet Malibu 1533 Mazda 6 2229 Toyota Camry 31
8 Chrysler Sebring 1630 Mercedes-Benz E350 2009 Fuel
2324 Volkswagen Passat Economy
29 Guide Dot Plot
9 Dodge Avenger 1730 Mercury Milan 2429 Volvo S80 25
Dotplot of MPG
Variable of Interest: Distribution
MPG
14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34
MPG
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How to Explore Data

Data Analysis
2009 Fuel Economy Guide 2009 Fuel Economy Guide 2009 Fuel Economy Guide
MODEL MPG MODEL MPG <new>MODEL MPG <new>
Examine each variable 1 Acura RL 9 22 Dodge Avenger 1630 Mercedes-Benz E350 24
2 Audi A6 Quattro 1023 Hyundai Elantra 1733 Mercury Milan 29
by itself. 3 Bentley Arnage 1114 Jaguar XF 1825 Mitsubishi Galant 27

Then study
4 BMW 5281 1228 Kia Optima 1932 Nissan Maxima 26
5 Buick Lacrosse 1328 Lexus GS 350 2026 Rolls Royce Phantom 18

relationships among
6 Cadillac CTS 1425 Lincolon MKZ 2128 Saturn Aura 33
7 Chevrolet Malibu 1533 Mazda 6 2229 Toyota Camry 31

the variables. 8
9
Chrysler Sebring
Dodge Avenger
1630 Mercedes-Benz E350
1730 Mercury Milan
2324 Volkswagen Passat
2429 Volvo S80
29
25

Start with a graph or

graphs
2009 Fuel Economy Guide Dot Plot

14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34
Add numerical MPG

summaries
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From Data Analysis to Inference

Data Analysis
Population

Sample

Collect data from a

representative Sample...

Make an Inference
about the Population.
Perform Data
Analysis, keeping
probability in mind…
Activity: Hiring Discrimination

Data Analysis
 Follow the directions on Page 5

 Perform 5 repetitions of your simulation.

 Turn in your results to your teacher.

 Teacher: Right-click (control-click) on the graph to edit the counts.
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Introduction
Data Analysis: Making Sense of Data

Summary
In this section, we learned that…

 A dataset contains information on individuals.

 For each individual, data give values for one or more variables.
 Variables can be categorical or quantitative.
 The distribution of a variable describes what values it takes and
how often it takes them.
 Inference is the process of making a conclusion about a population
based on a sample set of data.
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Looking Ahead…

In the next Section…

We’ll learn how to analyze categorical data.
Bar Graphs
Pie Charts
Two-Way Tables
Conditional Distributions

We’ll also learn how to organize a statistical problem.