MODULE 1 – BASIC CONCEPTS IN STATISTICS

I. Introduction:
This module will introduce the basic concepts: the meaning of Statistics, its functions,
importance and activities involved in research in which the student will be able to:

1. define and explain the meaning of statistics

2. discover and appreciate the importance of statistics
3. differentiate and explain the major divisions of Statistics (functions)
4. perform the different activities involved in research
5. classify and explain the four major types of descriptive statistics.
II. Course Content:
MODULE 1 BASIC CONCEPTS IN STATISTICS
Lesson 1. Meaning of Statistics
Lesson 2 Importance of Statistics
Lesson 3 Major divisions of Statistics (Functions)
Lesson 4 Activities involved in research
Lesson 5 Four major types of descriptive statistics

Lesson 1. Meaning of Statistics

What is Statistics ?
In the broadest sense, "statistics" refers to a range of techniques and procedures for
analyzing data, interpreting data, displaying data, and making decisions based on data.
(davidmlane.com/hyperstat/A15796.html)

Statistics is a branch of mathematics dealing with data collection, organization,

presentation, analysis and interpretation of data and or information gathered through
research. (www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/statistics)

 Statistics is both a formal science and a practical theory of scientific inquiry, and both
aspects are considered in statistics education.

Statistics education is the practice of teaching and learning of statistics, along with the
associated scholarly research. 

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 Lesson 2 The Importance of Statistics

 Without statistics we have no way of making an educated decision between the

two possibilities. 
 Statistics, however, provides us with a tool to make an educated decision.
 The field of statistics is the science of learning from data.
 Statistical knowledge helps us
a) use the proper methods to collect the data;
b) employ the correct analyses; and
c) effectively present the results.

How is statistics used in the social sciences?

 Statistical methods can be applied to a variety of social situations.
 In today's data-driven world, statistics is used to make policy decisions, study social
and behavioral changes, and answer important cultural questions.

Lesson 3 Two Major Divisions Of Statistics

I. Descriptive statistics are numbers that are used to summarize and describe data. It
is also the method of collecting and presenting data through construction of tables
and graphs. It includes the computation of measures of central tendency, measures
of central location and measures of dispersion or variability.

The word "data" refers to the information that has been collected from an
experiment, a survey, a historical record, etc.

II. Inferential statistics, by contrast, allow scientists to take findings from a sample

group and generalize them to a larger population.  This function of statistics is
concerned with higher degree of critical judgment and advanced mathematical
modes such as using the different statistical tools both the parametric and non-
parametric tests. This is concerned with the analysis and interpretation of data
in order to draw conclusion and generalization from organized data. This also
includes the testing of the significant relationship between the dependent and
independent variables as well as significant differences between and among
independent samples.
Kinds of Statistical Test

2 Prepared by: Leah Rosete-Garming, MPA

 1. Parametric Test
Commonly Used:
 t-test
 F-test or Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
 Scheffes Test (Post ANOVA Analysis)
 Pearson Product Moment Coefficient of Correlation

2. Non-Parametric Test
Commonly Used:
 Chi-Square Test
 Spearman Rank Order Coefficient of Correlation

Lesson 4 Activities in research that needs Statistical knowledge

Statistical knowledge is needed to undertake the following activities in
conducting quantitative research.
1. Collection of Data .
Collection of data involving quantitative research needs statistical knowledge in
determining the sample from the population. The researcher needs to ensure that
the respondents or subjects of the study will be selected without bias so that the
research findings will truly reflect the characteristics of the variables being
investigated or studied.
The instrument used in collecting data should be reliable; hence the
questionnaire which will be used to gather data should be tested for its reliability
using Statistical tools.

2. Organization of data
The data collected needs to be organized in such a way that they are grouped
according to the variables of the study. Frequency distributions maybe employed in
organizing the data collected. Appropriate classification and categorization should
be used in order to indicate accurate measurement and description of the data
collected.
3. Presentation of data
Presentation of data uses descriptive statistics in presenting and describing the
data using tables and graphs.

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 4. Analysis of Data
Analysis of data is the process of evaluating data using statistical tools to
discover useful information and taking the decision based upon the data analysis.
5. Interpretation of data
Interpretation of the results of the study explains the meaning and gives
implications and or inferences on the findings of the study.
Lesson 5 Four major types of descriptive statistics:
1. Measures of Frequency: Count, Percent, Frequency. ...
2. Measures of Central Tendency. Mean, Median, and Mode. ...
3. Measures of Dispersion or Variation. * Range, Variance, Standard Deviation
4. Measures of Position.(Central location) * Percentile Ranks, Quartile Ranks.
These types of descriptive statistics will be discussed in detail in the next modules.

SUMMARY:
The above coverage of the course about Statistics can be illustrated in the following
table:
ACTIVITIES FUNCTIONS: STATISTICAL TOOLS
 Collection of  Frequency &  Mean,
data Percentage median and
 Measures of mode
 Organization of
Central  Quartile,
data
Tendency decile,
 Presentation of  Descriptive  Measures of percentile
data Statistics Central  Range
Location  variance
 Measures of  Standard
STATISTICS Dispersion and deviation
Variability  Skewness
 Kurtosis
 Analysis of  Parametric  T-test
data Test  ANOVA
 Inferential  Pearson r
 Interpretation Statistics  Non-  Chi square
of data parametric test  Spearman
rho

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III. Learning Activity
Search for other definitions (meaning) of Statistics from other authors and compare with
the definition presented in this module. Summarize the commonalities among the
definitions and make
Assessment
In a paragraph or two, make a summary of what you have learned or your reaction to the
above presentation on the meaning and coverage of the course. What do you expect to
attain after finishing this course on Statistics?

PLEASE SUBMIT THE ACTIVITY ON OR BEFORE ________________

Activities/Exercises required should be submitted on or before the date set for submission
online through PM or to my email: garmingleah@yahoo.com or personally at SLCB.

5 Prepared by: Leah Rosete-Garming, MPA