1.1 Introduction to Statistics

1. 1.1 Introduction to Statistics Objective: Understand the process of statistics and distinguish between qualitative and quantitative variables and between discrete and continuous variables What is Statistics?? Identify the Objective Collecting – (Instruments) Organizing – (Software – Spread Sheets) Summarizing – (Condensing and Managing) & Analyzing data – (Critical Thinking & Conclusions)

2. Why? • Use Sample Data to draw conclusions about a “population” • Answer questions about possible relationships and concerns affecting all aspects of our existence

3. Example According to the Associated Press, a poll was commissioned by Washington College in 2005 to determine who was the greatest president. Eight hundred U.S. adultswere surveyed and asked who was the greatest president. The results were: 20% Abraham Lincoln, 15% Ronald Reagan, 12% Franklin Roosevelt, 11% John Kennedy, 10% Bill Clinton, 8% George W. Bush, and 6% George Washington. The remaining 18% selected other presidents. Washington College concluded that Abraham Lincoln ranks first among U.S. adults as the greatest president. Identify each of the following: a) Objective B) Sample C) Descriptive stats D) Conclusions

4. Example A study was conducted to determine if listening to heavy metal music affects critical thinking. To test the claim, 102 subjects were randomly assigned to two groups. Both groups were administered a basic math skills exam. The first group took the exam while heavy metal music was piped into the exam room, while the second group took the exam in a silent room. The mean exam score for the first group was 78, and the mean exam score for the second group was 87. The researchers concluded that heavy metal music negatively affects critical thinking. Identify (a) the research objective, (b) the sample, (c) the descriptive statistics, and (d) the conclusions made in the study.

5. Descriptive vs. Inferential Statistics Descriptive Statistics: Organizing & Summarizing (Charts, Graphs, Tables) Inferential Statistics: Predictions about Populations & Study of reliability

6. Types of Data • Qualitative Data • Based on some Attribute or Characteristic • Quantitative Data • Some Numerical measurement • Discrete Data • Resulting from Counting process – Integers • Continuous Data • Resulting from some process of measurement

7. Types of Data Identify whether the following data are qualitative or quantitative. If quantitative, identify whether it is discrete or continuous. The number of seats in a movie theater The height of a player on a basketball team The numbers on the shirts of a girl's soccer team The age of the oldest student in a statistics class The number of pills in a container of vitamins

8. Definitions • Data – Observations that have been collected • Statistics – Is a collection of methods to collect and analyze data • Population – Is a collection of all elements to be studied • Census – A collection of data from every member of the population • Sample – is a subset of a population • Individuals – a person or object in the sample

9. More Definitions • Blind Experiment – the individuals don’t know whether they are in the control group or experimental group • Double Blind Experiment – neither the individuals or doctors know which is the control group and which is the experimental • Placebo – an innocuous drug • Control Group – the group receiving the placebo • Experimental Group – the group receiving the experimental drug • Variable – characteristics of individuals being studied

10. Assignment 1.1 Page 9 Discuss in your groups problems 1 – 14 Due Tuesday: 15 – 45 by 3, 50, 53, 56