Simplified Statistics Notes
What is Statistics?
Statistics is the science of collecting and understanding information.
It helps us collect, organize, analyze, and interpret data.
Why is Statistics Important?
- Used in industry to check product quality.
- Used in biology and medicine to study living things.
- Used in physical sciences for experiments.
- Used in engineering to design safe structures.
What is Data?
Data means information.
One piece is called datum. Many pieces are called data.
Sources of Data:
1. Primary Source – You collect the data yourself.
2. Secondary Source – Someone else already collected it.
Methods of Collecting Data:
- Observation
- Experiment
- Interview
- Questionnaire
Branches of Statistics:
1. Descriptive Statistics – Describes what you see.
2. Inferential Statistics – Makes predictions about a large group using a small sample.
Levels of Measurement:
- Nominal – Naming only.
- Ordinal – Putting in order.
- Interval – Equal distance between numbers.
- Ratio – Has true zero.
Variables and Constants:
- Constant – Does not change.
- Variable – Can change.
Types of Variables:
1. Qualitative – Describes qualities.
2. Quantitative – Uses numbers.
- Discrete – Whole numbers only.
- Continuous – Includes decimals.
Presentation of Data:
- Text presentation
- Tabular presentation (Tables)
Types of Tables:
- Complex table
- Reference table
- Summary table
- Contingency table