Republic of the Philippines
CENTRAL BICOL STATE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE
Calabanga | Pasacao | Pili | Sipocot
THE NATURE
OF STATISTICS
KAREN L. JAULA
Instructor
Statistics
Statistics has the same meaning as the Latin word datum which
means a fact or information. The plural of datum is data.
Statistics can refer to the mere tabulation numeric information as
in reports of stock, market transactions, or to the body of
techniques used in processing or analyzing data.
The broader meaning of statistics is the science of collecting,
organizing, presenting, analyzing and interpreting numerical
data.
Data are the raw material which the statistician works. Data
can be found through surveys, experiments, numerical records,
and other modes of research.
Statistician is also used in several ways. It can be a person
who simply collects information or one who prepares analysis
or interpretations. It may mean a scholar who develops a
mathematical theory on which the science of statistics is
based.
Population is the entirety of the group including all the
members that forms a set of data.
Sample contains a few members of the population. Samples
were taken to represent the characteristics or traits of the
population.
Descriptive statistics is usually the collection and
organization of data. In descriptive statistics, the statistician
tries to describe a situation. It can also be represented with
graphs.
Common tools are:
•Measures of Central Tendency
•Measures of Variability
Example:
In a Math test, 32 out of 40 students were able to receive a passing mark.
The average score of the class is 82 out of 100.
Inferential statistics consists of generalizing from samples to population,
performing hypothesis testing, determining relationships among variables,
and making predictions. Here it implies that before carrying out an
inference, appropriate and correct descriptive measures or methods are
employed to bring out good results.
Common tools are:
• Hypothesis Testing
• Regression Analysis
Example:
A car dealer may look at past sales records for specific months of the year
to decide what type of automobiles and how many of each type for the
succeeding months next year.
Classify whether the situation belongs to the area of descriptive statistics
(DS) or inferential statistics (IS).
1. Based on the research conducted by the Department of Health, 63% of
those found to have diabetes were not aware that they have such disease.
2. According to the nationwide survey, the three highest responses living with
older persons are: grandchild (61.8%), spouse (59%) and daughter
(50.9%)
3. Drinking red wine may reduce the risk of heart diseases by 12%
4. Aspirin may lower the rate of heart attacks by 50%
5. Cigarettes were associated with 29% of the 4,470 civilian fire deaths in
1989.
Classify whether the situation belongs to the area of descriptive statistics
(DS) or inferential statistics (IS).
1. According to the Court Administration of the Philippines, 14% of trial-ready civil actions and
equity cases in Metro Manila during 1993 were decided in less six months.
2. Carrot juice may strengthen the lungs
3. Eating chili foods may cause shrinkage of the liver.
4. Extract from boiled banana trunks will give relief to diabetic persons.
5. Blood makes up 8% of the total body weight.
6. Some investigators have proposed that consumption of vitamin A prevents cancer.
7. The chance of a newborn baby being female is slightly less than 50%.
8. Drinking coffee may help reduce the sugar level of diabetic persons.
9. Results presented in a medical record of a patient.
10. Autism is estimated to affect seven kids in every 1000.
Statistical data or information can be gathered
through different ways such as interviewing
people, observing or inspecting items, using
questionnaires and checklists. The characteristic
that is being studied is called variable. A variable
is a characteristic that takes two or more values
which varies across individuals.
There are two types of variables or data. Variables can be qualitative and
quantitative.
1. Qualitative variables represent differences in quality, character, or
kind but not in amount. Examples of qualitative variables that yield
non-numeric variables are sex, birthplace or geographic locations,
religious preference, marital status, and eye color.
2. Quantitative variables are numerical in nature and can be ordered or
ranked. Examples of quantitative variables which yield numeric
variables are weight, height, age, test scores, speed and body
temperatures.
8. Zip code
9. Serum Cholesterol
10. Marital Status
11. The brand of cereal
Quantitative variables are further classified as
either discrete or continuous. A discrete variable is
a variable whose values can be counted using
integral values. A continuous variable is a variable
that can assume any numerical value over an
interval or intervals. The discrete variable assumes
integral values while a continuous variable yields
decimals or fractions.
Scales of Measurement Data
A scale or level of measurement relates to the rules used to
assigned scores and is an indicator of the kind of information that
the scores provide.
1. Nominal data use numbers for the purpose of identifying name
or membership in a group or category. As the name implies it
consists of “naming” exhaustive categories. All qualitative
variables are measured on a nominal scale. In nominal level of
measurements, observations can be classified and counted
without particular order or ranking imposed on the data.
2. Ordinal data connote ranking or inequalities. One
category is higher than the other one. In this type of data,
numbers represent “greater than” or “less than”
measurements, such as preferences or rankings.
Convalescing patient may be characterized as
unimproved, improved, and much improved. Individuals
may be classified according to socioeconomic status as
low, medium, or high. The intelligence of children may be
above average, average or below average.
4. Ratio data are similar to interval data, but has
an absolute zero and multiples are meaningful.
For example, if you have 0 peso, then you have
no money. If the weight is 0, then it represents a
complete absence of weight. Ratio data include all
the usual measurements of length, height, weight,
area, volume, density, velocity, money, and
duration.
