INTRODUCTION

Dr. Nguyen Thi Van Anh

Department of Biotechnology-Pharmacology
 Objec.ves
•  Understand what statistics is and its role

•  Know basic concepts used in statistics: data, variable, sample,

population
 1. Some basic concepts
•  In a wide range of professions, decisions are required,
conclusions must be reached

•  Data are raw materials collected to throw light on these problems

•  Statistics: techniques that provide useful information from data

 1. Some basic concepts
•  Statistics: is the science of

(1)  collection, organization, summarization and analysis of data;

(2)  drawing inferences about data

•  In engineering work:

- Predict the reliability of space launch vehicles/subsystems

-  Lifetime analysis of spacecraft system components

-  Failure analysis

-  Tolerance limit
 1. Some basic concepts
•  Statistics in Engineering:

- Common definition: “The science of guiding decision in the

face of uncertainties”

-  Earlier definition: “The science of making decisions in the face

of uncertainties”
 Sta.s.cal procedures

•  Vary from drawing, assessment of simple graphs to carrying

out very complex mathematical analysis with computers

•  When a natural phenomenon observed, if it is impossible to

predict the data exactly with certainty è statistical analysis
 2. Measurement and measurement scales
•  Measurement

The assignment of numbers to objects

Ex: in the study of aircrafts, we assign a length/size value (number) to

a component (object)
 2. Measurement and measurement scales
Measurement scale: 4 types of scale ordered in that all later scales
have all the properties of the earlier scales, plus new properties.

ü  Norminal scale: use number just to distinguish categories

ü  Ordinal scale: observations can be ranked

ü  Interval scale: distance (not ratio) between 2 measurements is known

ü  Ratio scale: equality of ratios and intervals may be determined

 Examples of measurement scales

•  Nominal scale:

Gender: male = 1, female = 2

“Scale” simply labels object,.

 Examples of measurement scales

•  Nominal scale:

“Scale” simply labels object,.

Ex: Religious affiliaAon

Labels just to dis.nguish categories

 Examples of measurement scales
•  Ordinal scale
Numbers used to place subjects in orders
But, No information on differences (intervals) between categories
 Examples of measurement scales

•  Interval scale:
Temperature: Celsius or Fahrenheiht

Same difference between 5°C (41°F) and 15°C (59°F) as between

20°C (68°F) and 30°C (86°F)

v  The interval difference is meaningful

v  BUT, we cant not defend ratio relationships
v  Zero point does not mean a true zero or absence of quantity

0°C does not mean lack of heat

We can’t say: 80°C is twice as hot as 40°C
 Examples of measurement scales

Ratio scale
Height, weight, length, time…
We can say “100 kg is double 50 kg”
0 is meaningful (“absence of characteristics”)

v  Have a true zero

v  Ratio is meaningful
 COMMON STATISTICAL TERMS

Data: measurements or observations of a variable

Variable: - A characteristic observed/manipulated

-  Can take on different values (weight, size, length,
airspeed, airflow…)
 COMMON STATISTICAL TERMS

Population of entities: the largest collection or the expected quantity/

numbers/volume
Ex: Number of products in the a production shift

Sample: A part of population, expected to represent the

population
 COMMON STATISTICAL TERMS

•  Survey
-  A census: data collection from entire populations

-  A sample survey: data collection from a sample

è use probability sampling methods to make statistically valid conclusion

on the target population

 COMMON STATISTICAL TERMS

•  Survey

-  Techniques for collecting data from the target population of interest

-  Generally identified with human populations (consumer surveys,
demographic/economic surveys….)
-  Also common with other populations
(geological surveys, administrative records…)
 Variable
•  Quantitative variable: can be measured (age, height, weight...)

•  Qualitative variable: cannot be measured,

can be categorized only

Ex: gender (male or female), exam result (pass or fail), …

 Variable
•  Random variable: when the values obtained arise as a result of
chance factors, they cannot be predicted exactly (adult height)

•  Discrete random variable: there are gaps or interruptions in the

values (number of students, number of books…)

•  Continuous random variable: No gaps or interruptions in the values

(height, weight,…)
Because of limitation of measuring instruments,
continuous variables are recorded as discrete variables
 Type of variables

(QuanAtaAve) (QualitaAve)
 Type of variables
Numerical variable (quantitative): Values are number

-  Discrete variable: values are whole numbers (counts)

Ex: number of students

-  Continuous variable: any value within a range

Ex: height, weight of students

 Type of variables
Categorical variable (qualitative):
Values selected from a small group of categories.
Ex: Gender (male/female)

v  Nominal: ordering are equally meaningful

Ex: Student’s religion: Christian, Muslim, Hindu….

v  Ordinal: categories can be meaningfully ordered

Ex: Student mark: A, B, C, D
 Type of variables
•  Numerical variable (Quantitative)

The disAncAon between discrete/conAnuous variable is important

StaAsAcal methods that can be used for conAnuous variable are not
always can be used for discrete variables

•  Categorical variable (Qualitative)

Ordinal and nominal variables are rarely disAnguished

Most staAsAcal methods for categorical variables can be applied to

both ordinal and nominal variables
 Type of variables
•  Label variable:
In some data sets, each individual has a unique name to idenAfy
Such a variable is called “label variable”

Example: Classify variables?

 Type of variables
Independent and dependent variable

Independent variable:
Manipulated by the experimenter
Under the control of the experimenter

Dependent variable:
Not under the control of the experimenter
Usually the outcome to be measured
 Independent and dependent variable

Ex:
 Type of variables
•  Categorical variables and groups:

-  Categorical var can be used to split the data set into groups
-  Data collected from different groups, the resulAng data sets could be
combined with a categorical var disAnguishing between groups

Old = age ≥ 40
Young = age < 40
When given a data set to analyze, always ask yourself which
variables are the most useful ones? Are there any other
variables more informaAve?

Appropriate sta.s.cal methods depend on the data structure

(number and type of varibles)

Numerical Categorical
 Variable

(Numerical)

(QualitaAve)
 VariaAon (Variability)
•  Natural variability

•  Variability caused by experiments

 Varia.on
•  Natural variability:
-  Variability in individuals
-  Unavoidable variability in
measurements due to
variability in environment or
measurement procedure

The noise in the data

 Varia.on
•  Variability caused by experiments:
-  In experiments, different individuals are given different experimental
treatment to compare these treatments, to determine whether these different
treatments cause differences in measurements

variability caused by experimental condi.ons = the signal in the data

Signal = wanted informa.on

The signal is oMen obscured by the noise in the data set.

 QUIZ
1. More than 600,000 active pilots in 1998, with ~ 130,000 pilots having
Airplane Transport Pilot Certificates. Pilots who met 4 below criteria
were selected for a survey:
-  Being based in US
-  Having an airline transport pilot (ATP) certificate
-  Having a multi-engine rating
-  Having a flight engineer (FE) certificate
è 52,570 pilots for the survey.
Further narrowing the sample: eliminating any pilot who could not be
linked to a phone number è 29,882 pilots were eligible.

a) What is the target population?

b) What is the studied sample?
 QUIZ
2. A variable that can be expressed by a number and can be counted
using only the number can be called…...
A.  Categorical
B.  Discrete
C.  Qualitative
D.  Independent
E.  Continuous
F.  Dependent
G.  Quantitative
 QUIZ
3. Number of Mini Coopers sold in Tampa, Florida in 2017 is an
example of….
A.  Categorical
B.  Discrete
C.  Qualitative
D.  Independent
E.  Continuous
F.  Dependent
G.  Quantitative
 QUIZ
4. A variable can be quantitative or….
A.  Categorical
B.  Discrete
C.  Qualitative
D.  Independent
E.  Continuous
F.  Dependent
G.  Quantitative
 QUIZ
5. A variable that can be expressed by a number is called…..
A.  Categorical
B.  Discrete
C.  Qualitative
D.  Independent
E.  Continuous
F.  Dependent
G.  Quantitative
 QUIZ
6. Types of foods soccer players in Brazil like to eat is an example of
…... variable
A.  Categorical
B.  Discrete
C.  Qualitative
D.  Independent
E.  Continuous
F.  Dependent
G.  Quantitative
 QUIZ
7. Every 2 hours, John can build 3 computers completely. Suppose n is
a number of computers John can build and t is the time it takes John to
build these computers. Identity the independent and the dependent
variables.
a)  n is….
b)  t is ....
 QUIZ
8. A variable that can be counted and could have fractions is called…...
variable
A.  Categorical
B.  Discrete
C.  Qualitative
D.  Independent
E.  Continuous
F.  Dependent
G.  Quantitative
QUIZ
QUIZ
 QUIZ

Carry out a study of the number of siblings of the students of 10th grade
In a secondary school. Thus, a survey was performed.
60 students provided replies to the survey.

Indicate: a) the population under analysis

b) the sample chosen;
c) the variable under analysis and classify it
QUIZ