MATH 264
Statistics for
Social Sciences
Chapter 1
Why Study Statistics?
Chapter Goals
After completing this chapter, you should be
able to:
Explain how decisions are often based on incomplete
information
Explain key definitions:
Population vs. Sample
Parameter vs. Statistic
Descriptive vs. Inferential Statistics
Describe random sampling
Explain the difference between Descriptive and
Inferential statistics
Identify types of data and levels of measurement
Dealing with Uncertainty
Everyday decisions are based on incomplete
information
Consider:
Number of refugees will be higher in six months than
it is now.
If the goverment budget deficit is as high as
predicted, interest rates will remain high for the rest of
the year.
Dealing with Uncertainty
(continued)
Because of uncertainty, the statements
should be modified:
Number of refugees is likely to be higher in six
months than it is now.
If the government budget deficit is as high as
predicted, it is probable that interest rates will remain
high for the rest of the year.
Key Definitions
A population is the collection of all items of interest or
under investigation
N represents the population size
A sample is an observed subset of the population
n represents the sample size
A parameter is a specific characteristic of a population
A statistic is a specific characteristic of a sample
Population vs. Sample
Population Sample
a b cd b c
ef gh i jk l m n gi n
o p q rs t u v w o r u
x y z y
Values calculated using Values computed from
population data are called sample data are called
parameters statistics
Examples of Populations
Names of all registered voters in Turkey
Incomes of all families living in Ankara
Annual returns of all stocks traded on the
İstanbul Stock Exchange
Grade point averages of all the students in your
university
Random Sampling
Simple random sampling is a procedure in which
each member of the population is chosen strictly by
chance,
each member of the population is equally likely to be
chosen,
and
every possible sample of n objects is equally likely to
be chosen
The resulting sample is called a random sample
Descriptive and Inferential Statistics
Two branches of statistics:
Descriptive statistics
Collecting, summarizing, and processing data to
transform data into information
Inferential statistics
provide the bases for predictions, forecasts, and
estimates that are used to transform information into
knowledge
Descriptive Statistics
Collect data
e.g., Survey
Present data
e.g., Tables and graphs
Summarize data
e.g., Sample mean =
X i
n
Inferential Statistics
Estimation
e.g., Estimate the population
mean weight using the sample
mean weight
Hypothesis testing
e.g., Test the claim that the
population mean weight is 120
pounds
Inference is the process of drawing conclusions or
making decisions about a population based on
sample results
The Decision Making Process
Decision
Knowledge
Experience, Theory,
Literature, Inferential
Statistics, Computers
Information
Descriptive Statistics,
Begin Here: Probability, Computers
Data
Identify the
Problem
DATA
Definition: Data is a specific observation of
measured numbers
Data Classification
Acording to type
According to level of information (measurement scale)
Types of Data
Data
Categorical Numerical
Examples:
Marital Status
Are you registered to Discrete Continuous
vote?
Eye Color Examples: Examples:
Opinion ranks Number of Children Weight
(Defined categories or Defects per hour Voltage
groups) (Counted items) (Measured characteristics)
Measurement Levels
Differences between
measurements, true Ratio Data
zero exists
Quantitative Data
Differences between
measurements but no Interval Data
true zero
Ordered Categories
(rankings, order, or Ordinal Data
scaling)
Qualitative Data
Categories (no
ordering or direction) Nominal Data
Chapter Summary
Reviewed incomplete information in decision
making
Introduced key definitions:
Population vs. Sample
Parameter vs. Statistic
Descriptive vs. Inferential statistics
Described random sampling
Examined the decision making process
Identify types of data and levels of measurement
