Chapter one

Introduction to Statistics
 Statistics is a branch of natural science concerned with

collection, classification, presentation, organization, analysis, and

interpretation of data obtained from sample or population
 Data are measurements obtained from a sample or population
 Population is a group of study subjects/object that have common
characteristics
 Sample is some part of study subjects/objects selected from a
population

Set by G.F 1
 Cont’d
 Statistics can define it in two senses
 In the plural sense: statistics are the raw data themselves
or numerical facts, like
statistics of births,
statistics of deaths,
statistics of students,
statistics of imports and exports, etc.

Set by G.F 2
 Cont’d
 In the singular sense: statistics is scientific method for
data
Collection,
organization,
presentation,
analysis and interpretation,
making decision and drawing valid conclusion
and making reasonable decisions on the basis of
this analysis

Set by G.F 3
 Classification of statistics

 The two main branches of statistics are:

1. Descriptive statistics and

2. Inferential statistics
1. Descriptive Statistics describes the basic features of a data collected
from a sample or a population using graphs, charts and tables
 The main objective is to describe a group of data that we have ‘in
hand’
 We are not interested in other data that we are not gathered

Set by G.F 4
 Cont’d
2. Inferential Statistics
It deals with making generalization/conclusion based on sample
information to the whole population
Statistical inference involves both estimation and hypothesis testing
In inferential statistics our interest is on data that are so large and are
not in hand

Set by G.F 5
 stages statistical investigation
1) Data collection: collecting data from sample or population

2) Data organization: is the practice of categorizing and classifying data to

make it more usable e.g. table form

3) Data presentation: re-organization, classification, compilation and

summarization to present it in meaning full way using tables, diagrams and
graphs.
4) Data analysis: Estimate statistical values, state hypothesis and testing these
hypothesis
5) Data interpretation: explaining what the statistical estimates tells about.
 It is the action of explaining the meaning of statistical estimates
6) Making conclusion: making generalization from sample to population
Set by G.F 6
 Uses of statistics

The following are some uses of statistics:

1. It presents facts in a definite and precise/numerical form.
2. Data reduction/ simplifies complex data
3. Measures magnitudes of variations in a data set.
4. Facilitates/Furnishes a technique of comparison
5. Estimate unknown population characteristics
6. Testing and formulating of hypothesis.
7. Studying the relationship between two or more variable.
8. Forecasting future events.
9. It helps in the formulation of policies
Set by G.F 7
 Limitations of statistics

 Statistics:
 not suitable to the study of qualitative phenomenon
 does not study individuals, but aggregate of facts
 laws are not exact
 can be easily misused
 is only the method of studying a problem (not solution
implementer)

Set by G.F 8
 Some characteristics of statistics
Statistics are:
1. Aggregates of facts
2. Numerically expressed
3. Affected to a marked extent by multiplicity of causes
4. Enumerated/estimated according to a reasonable standard
of accuracy
5. Collected for a predetermined purpose
6. Collected in a systematic manner and
7. Comparable to each other Set by G.F 9
 Types of variables and Scales of measurement

A) Types of variables
 A variable is any characteristic of a study unit that can assume
different values
 For example, for an individual we can consider the following
characteristics as variables:
 age, religion, ethnicity, place of residence, weight, height, etc.

Set by G.F 10
 Cont’d
 Depending on their quantifiable condition, variables can be
classified as qualitative and quantitative variables
I. Qualitative/ Categorical Variable
 Variable which assumes non-numerical values and can not be
measured
Examples:
 gender, religious affiliation, ethnicity, education level, etc.

Set by G.F 11
 Cont’d
II. Quantitative Variables
 Variables which assume numerical values and can be measured
This can be of two types
a) Discrete Variable:
 Variables which assume a finite/countable number
 obtained by counting
 can only exist in whole number
 Example:
 number of children in a family
 number of students in a class
Set by G.F 12
 Cont’d
b) Continuous Variables:
 Variables which assume an infinite number of possible values
 Obtained by measurement
Example: Age, height, weight, income, etc.,
B) Measurement scale (level of measurements)
 A scale is a set of levels or numbers which are used in a particular
system of measuring things
 Measurement is the process of associating numbers with physical
quantities and phenomena

Set by G.F 13
 Cont’d
 Measurement scale refers to ways in which variables are defined
and grouped into different categories
 These scale of measurements have three properties
1) Distance

2) Order

3) Fixed zero

 Based on their properties, there are four measurement scales

1. Nominal scale,
2. ordinal scale,
3. interval scale, and
Set by G.F 14
 Cont’d
1. Nominal Scales
are measurement systems that possess none of the three properties
(order, rank & real zero difference)
No arithmetic and relational operation can be applied
No quantitative information is conveyed
No order between categories
Thus only gives names or labels to various categories
Examples:
 Political party (Prosperity party, All Ethiopian National Movement,
Ethiopian Democratic party, etc.)
 Sex (Male or Female.) Marital status (married, single, widow,
divorce) Set by G.F 15
 Cont’d
2. Ordinal Scales
 Level of measurement which classifies data into different
categories that have:
 Rank between categories
 No differences between the categories
 All arithmetic operations are not applicable ()
 All relational operations () are applicable.
Examples:
 Letter grades (A, B, C, D, F).
 Rating scales (Excellent, Very good, Good, Fair, poor)
Set by G.F 16
 Cont’d
3. Interval Scales:
 are measurement systems that possess the properties of order
and distance, but not the property of fixed zero
 All arithmetic operations () except division () are applicable
 All relational operations also possible ()
Example:
 temperature in Farenheit.
 temperature (Celcius)
 pH
 SAT score (200-800), credit score (300-850)
Set by G.F 17
 Cont’d
 Time of day (6: 30 half, 8:00 O’clock etc.)
 calendar years (2014, 2015, etc.)
4. Ratio Scales
are measurement systems that possess all three properties:
order, distance, and fixed zero.
Example
Age, height, weight, number of classes in a building, etc.
Measurements scales help to
 decide how to interpret the data
 decide what statistical analysis is appropriate for the data
Set by G.F 18
 EXERCISE

1. Explain the meaning of statistics.

2. Give a definition of statistics and discuss it.

3. Explain the functions of statistics.

4. What are the limitations of statistics?

5. Define the term Statistics and discuss its

characteristics.

6. Enumerate with example some terms of Statistics.

Set by G.F 19
 Tha
En d n k y
of c ou! !
hap !
ter
1

Set by G.F 20