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Understanding Statistics Basics

The document provides an introduction to statistics, emphasizing its importance in various fields such as accounting, finance, and business for data analysis and decision-making. It distinguishes between descriptive and inferential statistics, outlines methods of data collection, and explains different types of data and measurement scales. Key terms such as population, sample, parameter, and statistic are defined to enhance understanding of statistical concepts.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
4 views18 pages

Understanding Statistics Basics

The document provides an introduction to statistics, emphasizing its importance in various fields such as accounting, finance, and business for data analysis and decision-making. It distinguishes between descriptive and inferential statistics, outlines methods of data collection, and explains different types of data and measurement scales. Key terms such as population, sample, parameter, and statistic are defined to enhance understanding of statistical concepts.

Uploaded by

24931001
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
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FBE UII

Statistics
Prepared by
Abdul Hakim

Week 1
Introduction
2

Introduction

Statistical thinking will one day be as necessary for efficient citizenship as the ability to
read and write.

H.G. Wells
3

Introduction

• Statistics = data.

• Modern statistics encompasses the collection, presentation, and characterization of


information to assists in both data analysis and the decision-making process.
4

Introduction

We use statistics for:


• In accounting (to name but a few):
o To select samples for auditing purposes
o To understand the cost drivers in cost accounting.
• In finance:
o To track trends in financial measures over time
o To develop ways of forecasting values of these measures at future points of time.
• In Business:
o To track trends in revenue over time
o To help modelling the best human resource behaviour
5

Introduction

• During the Egyptian, Greek and Roman


civilizations, data were obtained.
• In the Middle Ages, church institutions
often keep records concerning births,
deaths, and marriages.
6

Two Types of
Statistics

Descriptive statistics Inferential statistics


• methods involving the collection, • methods that make possible the
presentation, and characterization of a estimation of a characteristic of a
set of data in order to properly describe population or the making of a decision
the various features of that set of data concerning a population based only on
[measures of central tendency, sample results.
dispersion, type of distributions]
7

Some Key Terms

• A population (or universe) is the • A parameter is a summary measure


totality of items or things under that is computed to describe a
consideration. characteristic of an entire
• A sample is the portion of the population.
population that is selected for • A statistic is a summary measure
analysis. that is computed to describe a
characteristic from only a sample of
the population.
8

Data Collection

• Data: numerical information • We need data to:


needed to help us make a more o Provide the necessary input to a research
informed decision in a particular in study,
situation. o Measure performance in an ongoing
service or production process,
o Assists in formulating alternative
courses of action in a decision making
process,
o Satisfy our curiosity.
9

Obtaining Data

• Using published sources of data • We can collect data compiled by


other agents.
o The one collecting the data is the
primary source, while the one
compiling the data is the
secondary sources.
o Say you collect data about stock
market from Bloomberg, the data
you are collecting is secondary
data.
10

Obtaining Data

• Gaining data through observation:


Observe and take notes

Big Data for retailer business


[Link]
=qwBS_IXw3JQ
11

Obtaining Data

• Designing an experiment:

A trial (or test) exercised under a strict


control to demonstrate a known truth.

An experiment in physics (psychology?)


[Link]
=YdqRLuYkYDk
12

Obtaining Data

• Conducting a survey: Gathering data process by


asking questions to the participants (respondents)
or informant about certain things.
• There is no control exercised under such a study.
• e.g.: finding out the perception of accountant about
a new regulation in public accounting practice.
13

Obtaining Data

Survey using qustionnaire by


• Mail
• Social media
• Guided process
[Link]
=FkX-t0Pgzzs
Designing a questionnaire:
chocolate product
14

Obtaining Data

• Survey using in-depth interview

A job interview
[Link]
=OVAMb6Kui6A
15

Obtaining Data

• Survey using focus group discussion (FGD)

[Link]
=ZLw0YXcseG0

Using Focus Group in Research


16

Types of Data

Numerical vs categorical data

• Numerical data: data in numerical number.


e.g.: stock price index

• Categorical data: non-numerical data.


e.g.: types of car (sedan, truck, SUV)
17

Types of Data

Discrete vs continuous data

• Discrete data: numerical responses that arise from a counting process.


e.g.: number of houses in Yogyakarta.

• Continuous data: numerical responses that arise from a measuring


process.
e.g.: height of students in a university.
18

Levels of measurement and types of


measurement scales
Nominal vs ordinal scales. Interval vs ratio scales
• Nominal scale: categorical data with no • Interval: an ordered scale in which the
ordering is implied. difference between the measurements is a
e.g.: car ownership: yes or no. meaningful quantity
e.g.: temperature degrees: 1°C, 2°C, 3°C, 4°
• Ordinal scale: categorical data in which C. Note that 4°C does not necessarily means
ordering is implied. that it is 4 times warmer than 1°C.
e.g.: S&P bond ratings: AAA AA A
BBB BB B CCC CC C DDD DD D. • Ratio scales: all characteristics of interval
scales, and the ratios measurements are
sensible to consider.
e.g.: the height of students: 150 cm, 150
cm,... 2 m. Note that a student of 2 m tall is
twice taller than a student of 1 m tall.

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