Chapter 1:

Introduction to Statistics

ENGR. JOVITO P. PERMANTE

Director, Administrative & Financial Services
BatStateU JPLPC-Malvar & Lipa Campuses

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Statistics
Is branch of mathematics that deals with
the process of gathering, desribing,
organizing and interpreting numerical data
as well as drawing valid conclusions and
making reasonable decisions on the basis of
such analysis.

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Scope of Statistics

• Agriculture
• Anthropology
• Biology
• Buisiness
• Economics
• Education
• Engineering
• Entertainment
• Environmental Studies
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Scope of Statistics
• Fisheries
• Forestry
• Genetics
• Geography
• Government
• Health
• Insurance
• Literature
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Scope of Statistics
• Manufacturing
• Marketing
• Medicine
• Meteorology
• Physics
• Politics
• Psychology
• Sports
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 Statistics is important to research since it:

• Permits the exact kind of description

• Forces the researcher to be definite and exact in his/her
procedures and in his/her thinking
• Enables the researcher to summarize results in a meaningful
and convenient form
• Allows the researcher to draw general conclusions: the process
of extracting conclusion is carried out according to accepted
rules
• Enables the researcher to predict “how much” of a thing will
happen under conditions he/she knows he/she has mentioned

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Basic Concepts

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 Population
• The entire group of individuals is called the
population.
• For example, a researcher may be interested in
the relation between class size (variable 1) and
academic performance (variable 2) for the
population of third-grade children.

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 Sample
• Usually populations are so large that a
researcher cannot examine the entire group.
Therefore, a sample is selected to represent
the population in a research study. The goal is
to use the results obtained from the sample to
help answer questions about the population.

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 Parameter
• Is a numerical index describing a characteristic
of a population

Statistic
• Is a numerical index describing a characteristic
of a sample

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Types of Data
Qualitative Data – A data that is conceptualized
and analyzed as distinct categories with no
continuum applied. Also termed as categorical
data; observations that are put in the same or
different classes, each class being considered as
possessing some common characteristics that is
not shared by those in other classes.

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Example of Qualitative Data

• Eye Color
• Gender
• Occupation
• Religious Preference
• etc

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Types of Data
Quantitative Data – A variable that is
conceptualized and analyzed along a continuum
implied. It differs in amount of degree. Also,
termed numerical data; this yield frequencies
when counted, giving rise to discrete data or
when measured yield metric or continuous data.

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Example of Quantitative Data

• Height
• Weight
• Math aptitude
• etc

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Sources of Data
There are two main source of data:

Primary Data – are data that come from original source, and are
intended to answer specific research questions, can be taken by
interview, mail-in questionnaire, survey, or experimentation.

Secondary Data – are data that are taken from previously

recorded data, such as information in research conducted,
industry financial statements, business periodicals, and
government reports.

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 Constant and Variables
• A constant is a characteristics of objects,
people, or events that does not vary.

• A variable is a characteristic or condition that

can change or take on different values.
– Most research begins with a general question about
the relationship between two variables for a
specific group of individuals.

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Classification of Variables:
Variables can be classified into two
according to purpose whether
experimental or mathematical

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Classification of Variables

Experimental Classification – A researcher may

classify variables according to function they
serve in the experiment

• Independent Variables
• Dependent Variable

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Experimental Classification

Independent Variable – are variable

controlled by the by the
experimenter/researcher and expected to
have an effect on the behavior of the
subjects. This is also called explanatory
variable.

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Experimental Classification

Dependent Variable – is some measure of

the behavior of subjects and expected to be
influenced by the independent variable. The
dependent variables is also called outcome
variable.

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Classification of Variables

Mathematical Classification – variables

classified in terms of mathematical values they
may take on within a given interval.

• Continuous Variables
• Discrete Variable

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Mathematical Classification

Continuous Variable – is a variable which can

assume any of an infinite number of values, and
can be associated with points on a continuous
line interval.

Example: height, weight, volume, etc.

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Mathematical Classification

Discrete Variable – is a variable which consist

of either a finite number of values or countable
number values.

Example: gender, courses, Olympic games, etc.

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 Measuring Variables
• To establish relationships between variables,
researchers must observe the variables and
record their observations. This requires that
the variables be measured.

• The process of measuring a variable requires a

set of categories called a scale of
measurement and a process that classifies
each individual into one category.
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Level of Measurement
1. A nominal scale is an unordered set of
categories identified only by name. Nominal
measurements only permit you to determine
whether two individuals are the same or
different.
Example
Qualitative Variable Categories
Gender Male, Female
Automobile Ownership Yes, No
Type of Life Insurance Owned Term, Endowment, Straight-
Life, Others, None
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Level of Measurement
2. An ordinal scale is an ordered set of
categories. Ordinal measurements tell you the
direction of difference between two individuals.
Ex.
Qualitative Variable Categories
Student Class Designation Freshmen, Sophomore, Junior,
Senior
Product Satisfaction Unsatisfied, Neutral, Satisfied,
Very Satisfied
Faculty Rank Professor, Associate Professor,
Assistant Prof, Instructor

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Level of Measurement
3. An interval scale is an ordered series of equal-sized
categories. Interval measurements identify the
direction and magnitude of a difference. The zero
point is located arbitrarily on an interval scale.
Ex.

Qualitative Variable
Temperature 0
C or 0F
Calendar Time Gregorian, Hebrew, or Islamic

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