Statistics
Lecture note 2
By Noorullah ibrahimi
Frequency Distribution
To describe situations, draw conclusions, or make inferences about events,
the researcher must organize the data in some meaningful way. The most
convenient method of organizing data is to construct a frequency
distribution.
After organizing the data, the researcher must present them so they can be
understood by those who will benefit from reading the study. The most
useful method of presenting the data is by constructing statistical charts
and graphs. There are many different types of charts and graphs, and
each one has a specific purpose.
When the data are in original form, they are called raw data.
A frequency distribution is the organization of raw data in table form, using
classes and frequencies.
Organizing Data
Suppose a researcher wished to do a study on the ages of the 50 wealthiest people
in the world. The researcher first would have to get the data on the ages of the
people. In this case, these ages are listed in Forbes Magazine.
Frequency Distribution
Each raw data value is placed into a quantitative or qualitative
category called a class.
The frequency of a class is the number of data values contained in
a specific class.
Categorical Frequency Distributions
Two types of frequency distributions that are most often used are the categorical
frequency distribution and the grouped frequency distribution.
Categorical Frequency Distributions
Solution:
The percentage of values in each class can be found by using
the formula
where f = frequency of the class and n = total number of values.
Grouped Frequency Distributions
Class width for a class in a frequency distribution is found by subtracting the
lower (or upper) class limit of one class from the lower (or upper) class limit of the
next class.
Note: Do not subtract the limits of a single class. It will result in an incorrect
answer.
Rules for constructing frequency distribution
To construct a frequency distribution, follow these rules:
• There should be between 5 and 20 classes.
• It is preferable but not absolutely necessary that the class width be an odd
number.
• The classes must be mutually exclusive.
• The classes must be continuous.
• The classes must be equal in width.
mutually exclusive" means that each data point can
belong to only one class or category.
Class midpoint and open-ended distribution
The class midpoint Xm is obtained by adding the lower and upper
boundaries and dividing by 2, or adding the lower and upper limits and
dividing by 2.
A frequency distribution with an open ended class is called an open-ended
distribution.
Rules for constructing frequency distribution
Examples
Solution:
Examples
The cumulative frequency distribution for the data in previous example is
as follows:
Ungrouped Frequency Distribution
When the range of the data values is relatively small, a frequency distribution
can be constructed using single data values for each class. This type of
distribution is called an ungrouped frequency distribution.
Ungrouped Frequency Distribution
Solution:
Thank you