NORTHERN LUZON ADVENTIST COLLEGE

“The School That Prepares for Life”

S.Y 2020-2021

(CORE Subject)

LEARNING MODULE 1

Prepared by:

JOMAR MORENO BACANI

Math Instructor, NLAC
 INTRODUCING STATISTICS
What is all about this module?

Overview of the Lesson

In decision making, we use statistics although some of us may not be aware of it. In this lesson, we will make you realize that
to decide logically, you need to use statistics. An inquiry could be answered or a problem could be solved through the use of
statistics. In fact, without knowing it we use statistics in our daily activities

STATISTICS AS A TOOL IN DECISION-MAKING

Statistics is defined as a science that studies data to be able to make a decision. Hence, it is a tool in decision making process.
Statistics as a science involves the methods of collecting, processing, summarizing, and analyzing data in order to provide
answers or solutions to an inquiry. One also needs to interpret and communicate the results of the methods identified to
support a decision that one makes when faced with a problem or an inquiry.

STATISTICAL PROCESS IN SOLVING A PROBLEM

1. Plan (Ask a question): formulate a statistical question that can be answered with data. A good deal of time should
be given to this step as it is the most important step in the process.

2. Collect (Produce Data): design and implement a plan to collect appropriate data. Data can be collected through
numerous methods, such as observations, interviews, questionnaires, databases, samplings or experimentation.

3. Process (Analyze the Data): organize and summarize the data by graphical or numerical methods. Graph numerical
data using histograms, dot plots, and/or box plots, and analyze the strengths and weaknesses.

4. Discuss (Interpret the Results): interpret your finding from the analysis of the data, in the context of the original
problem. Give an interpretation of how the data answers your original questions.

To summarize, a statistical process in making a decision or providing solutions to a problem include the following:

 Planning or designing the collection of data to answer statistical questions in a way that maximizes information
content and minimizes bias;
 Collecting the data as required in the plan;
 Verifying the quality of the data after they were collected;
 Summarizing the information extracted from the data; and
 Examining the summary statistics so that insight and meaningful information can be produced to support
decision-making or solutions to the question or problem at hand.

Hence, several activities make up statistical process which for some the process is simple but for others it might be a
little bit complicated to implement. Also, not all questions or problems could be answered by a simple statistical
process. There are indeed problems that need complex statistical process. However, one can be assured that logical
decisions or solutions could be formulated using a statistical process.

KEY POINTS:
 Difference between questions that could be and those that could not be answered using Statistics
 Statistics is a science that studies data
 There are many uses of Statistics but its main use is in decision-making.
 Logical decisions or solutions to a problem could be attained through a statistical process.
 DATA COLLECTION ACTIVITY
PRELIMINARIES IN A DATA COLLECTION ACTIVITY

In Statistical activities, facts are collected from respondents for purposes of getting aggregate information, but confidentiality
should be protected. The agencies mandated to collect data is bound by law to protect the confidentiality of information
provided by respondents. Even market research organizations in the private sector and individual researchers also guard
confidentiality as they merely want to obtain aggregate data. This way, respondents can be truthful in giving information, and
the researcher can give a commitment to respondents that the data they provide will never be released to anyone in a form that
will identify them without their consent.

PERFORMING DATA COLLECTION ACTIVITY

The purpose of this data collection activity is to gather data that you could use for your future lessons in Statistics and
Research. It is important that you provide the needed information to the best of your knowledge.

Some areas in the SIS (Students Information Sheet) that needs to be clarified.

1. CLASS STUDENT NUMBER: This is the number that you provide confidentially to the student at the start of the class.

2. SEX: This is the respondent’s biological sex and not their preferred gender. Hence, they have to choose only one of the two
choices by placing a check mark at space provided before the choices.

3. NUMBER OF SIBLINGS: This is the number of brothers and sisters that the respondent has in their nuclear or immediate
family. This number excludes the respondent in the count. Thus, if the respondent is the only child in the family then he/she
will report zero as his/her number of siblings.

4. WEIGHT (in kilograms): This refers to the respondent’s weight based on the respondent’s knowledge. Note that the weight
has to be reported in kilograms. In case the respondent knows his/her weight in pounds, the value should be converted to
kilograms by dividing the weight in pounds by a conversion factor of 2.2 pounds per kilogram.

5. HEIGHT (in centimeters): This refers to the respondent’s height based in the respondent’s knowledge. Note that the height
has to be reported in centimeters. In case the respondent’s knows his/ her height in inches, the value should be converted to
centimeters by multiplying the height in inches by a conversion factor of 2.54 centimeters per inch.

6. AGE OF MOTHER (as of her last birthday in years): This refers to the age of the respondent’s mother in years as of her
last birthday, thus this number should be reported in whole number. In case, the respondent’s mother is dead or nowhere to be
found, ask the respondent to provide the as if the mother is alive or around. You could help the respondent in determining
his/her mother’s age based on other information that the respondent could provide like birth year of the mother or
respondent’s age. Note also that a zero value is not an acceptable value.

7. USUAL DAILY ALLOWANCE IN SCHOOL (in pesos)

8. USUAL DAILY FOOD EXPENDITURE IN SCHOOL (in pesos)
9. USUAL NUMBER OF TEXT MESSAGES SENT IN A DAY
10. MOST PREFERRED COLOR
11. USUAL SLEEPING TIME
12. HAPPINESS INDEX FOR THE DAY

CONTEXTUALIZATION OF DATA

Data are facts and figures that are presented, collected, and analyzed. Data are either numeric or non numeric and must be
contextualized. To contextualize data, you must identify its six W’s or to put meaning on the data, we must know the
following W’s of the data:
1. Who?
2. What?
3. When?
4. Where?
5. Why?
6. HoW

KEY POINTS:

 Providing correct information in a government data collection activity is a responsibility of every citizen in the country.
 Data confidentiality is important in a data collection activity.
 Census is collecting data from all possible respondents.
 Data to be collected must be clarified before the actual data collection.
 Data must be contextualized by answering six W-questions.

QUIZ # 1

Open you LMS account and READ the instructions

Available: January 20, 2021

Deadline: January 22, 2021

We should not look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors, and for the purpose of profiting by dearly bought
experience. - George Washington

***** END OF MODULE 1 *****