WEEK 1-2.

Random Variables and Probability Distribution

Learning Objectives
1. To illustrate random variables.
2. To classify random variables as discrete or continuous.
3. To find the possible values of a random variable.
4. To differentiate descriptive and inferential Statistics
5. Discuss some application of statistics
Discussion

Descriptive and Inferential Statistics

If you have every measurement (or observation) of the population in hand, then statistical
methodology can help you to describe this typically large set of data. We will find graphical and
numerical ways to make sense out of a large mass of data. The branch of statistics devoted to
this application is called descriptive statistics.
The branch of statistics devoted to the summarization and description of data (population or
sample) is called descriptive statistics.
If it may be too expensive to obtain or it may be impossible to acquire every measurement in the
population, then we will want to select a sample of data from the population and use the sample
to infer the nature of the population.
The branch of statistics concerned with using sample data to make an inference about a
population of data is called inferential statistics

Parameter versus Statistics

It is also important to know the two significant terminologies in statistics, the parameter
and statistic. Both terms are actually homologous to one another except for the fact that
parameter describes a whole population while a statistics described a sample of a given
population.
A Statistics is a concluded data from a proportion of a population. It gives the probability of how
a certain population might behave based on the sample considered. Think of it like this: if you
have a bit of information, it is a statistic. If you are sure about ¼ of people in a given institution
or place then what you know are statistics.
A parameter is constant since the totality of the population is surveyed to find the parameter.
This is one reason why determining the number of sample and choosing the individuals
completing the samples are very crucial since the accuracy of the statistics may be affected by
these. For example, if you want to survey who among the presidential candidates has the
greater chance if probability, and the sample that you used are all from the territory of candidate
A, the tendency is that the statistics that you will get is pointing in favor of candidate A. This
result might have a huge discrepancy with respect to the real standing when the whole
population is considered.
Classification of Data
Qualitative versus Quantitative Data
Data can either be classified as qualitative or quantitative. The two differs from one
another in such a way that qualitative data is a measure of “types” and may be represented in
terms of characteristics, names or symbols. Moreover, a quantitative data is a measure of
“values” or “counts” and expressed in numerical values. For qualitative data answer as addition
and averaging make sense. Basically, qualitative data answer the question “what” while
quantitative answers the question “how many”.

Qualitative Data Quantitative Data

- measure of “types” and may be represented
by names or symbols.
- describes individuals or objects by their
categories or groups
- answer the question “what type”
- Measure of “values” or “counts” and
expressed in numbers
- Operations such as addition and
averaging make sense.
- answer the question “how many”, “how
much”

Examples:
Examples: - Weight in kilograms (40 kgs)
- Gender (Male or Female) - Grades (89, 91, 86)
- Nationality (Filipino, American) - Ages (16 y/o, 21 y/o)
- Student type (Freshman, Sophomore,
Junior, Senior)

Raw Data versus Array Data

Data can also be classified as either raw or array. A data can be considered raw if it isin
its original form. However, if the data collected is already arranged in certain pattern such as in
ascending or descending order, then it is no longer in its original form but rather in its arrayed
form.

Example No. 1. Below are the scores of 7 Pharmacy students during their first quiz in Statistics.
Raw Data Array Data
(Arranged in ascending order)
21, 22, 19, 28, 24, 22, 25 19, 21, 22, 22, 24, 25, 28
Example No. 2. The height in centimeter of the varsity players in basketball were summarized
below:
Raw Data Array Data
 (Arranged in ascending order)
170, 155, 156, 190, 168, 174 155, 156, 168, 170, 174, 190

Classification of Variables
In a study, the individuals or subjects are the people or objects to be studied. The
variables, on the other hand, are the characteristics of the individual to be observed or
measured.
Example 1. A researcher wants to conduct a study on the performance of male athletes
in the university in their games. Identify the individual a and the
variables.
Individuals or Subjects Variables
All male athletes in the university Winning and losing records in their
games

Example 2. A researcher wants to conduct a study on the academic performance of

Pharmacy students in Mathematics. Identify the individuals and the variables.
Individuals or Subjects Variables
All Pharmacy students taking up Scores in exams, Final grade in
Mathematics subjects Mathematics subjects

Variables can be classified according to different criteria. In this context, let us

categorize the different classifications of variables according to functional relationship
and continuity.
According to Functional Relationship
1. Independent Variable called the predictor variable.
2. Dependent Variable called the criterion variable.

Examples: The academic performance of students in mathematics depends on

their study habits and their attitudes towards the subject.

Independent Variable Student’s study habits and attitudes

Dependent Variable Academic performance of students in Mathematics

According to Continuity of Values

1. Continuous Variables – variables that can be expressed in decimals.
Examples: Price of commodities, grades, height
 2. Discrete or Discontinuous Variables – variables that cannot be expressed in
decimals.
Examples: Number of people, number of floors

Levels of Measurements
1. Nominal Scale
- Data that consist of names, labels, or categories only
- The data cannot be arranged in an ordering scheme
- Numbers or symbols are used to classify an object or person to identify the group the
belong.
Examples: Gender (male or female)
Nationality (filipino, American, Japanese)
2. Ordinal Scale
- Data contain the properties of nominal level
- The data can be arranged in an ordering scheme or ranked
- The difference between the values of the data cannot be determined. The interval is
meaningless
Examples: Ranks in a contest (1st runner up, 2nd runner up, 3rd runner up, etc.)
Military Ranks (General, Colonel, etc.)
Performance ranks (good, better, best)

3. Interval Scale
- Data contain the properties of ordinal level
- Data values can be ranked
- The difference between the values of the data are of known sizes
- The interval between the values has meaning
- The “zero” does not imply the absence of characteristics
- The ratio of data values are meaningless

Examples: Temperature (Celsius, Fahrenheit)

Intelligence Quotient (75, 100, 120, and so on)

4. Ratio Scale
- Data contain the properties of interval level
- The “zero” indicates the absence of the characteristics under consideration
- The ratio of data values has meaning
Examples: Height in meters, weight in kilograms or pounds
Name:__________________________________________________Score:____________
Name of Teacher:_________________________________________Date:_____________
Course/Year/Section:______________________________________

Exercise 1.1
Classification of Data
Identify whether the data are qualitative or quantitative.
______________1. Monthly salary or a government employee.
______________2. Course taken NU freshmen students
______________3. Employee status of a worker
______________4. Student number
______________5. Height of a basketball player inches
______________6. Color of a person’s eye
______________7. Scores of Pharmacy students in Statistic quiz
______________8. Size of a family in a certain community
______________9. Price of commodities in peso
______________10. Volume of water in a bottle

Exercise 1.2
Level of Measurements
Determine the level of measurements stated below:
1. Monthly salary or a government employee.
2. Course taken NU freshmen students
3. Employee status of a worker
4. Student number
5. Height of a basketball player inches
6. Color of a person’s eye
7. Scores of Pharmacy students in Statistic quiz
8. Size of a family in a certain community
9. Price of commodities in peso
10. Volume of water in a bottle