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Unit 1:Data and Descriptive Statistics

Unit Outline

Chapter 1- Basics of Statistics

Chapter 2- Visual Representation of Data

Chapter 3- Summarizing Data Numerically

Chapter 4- Describing and Summarizing the Relationship between Two Variables

At its heart, statistics is a process that we use to describe, analyze, and make decisions from information. In this first unit we will introduce terminology we will use throughout the course. We will primarily focus on sampling, types of data, data collection, and methods used to summarize results.

The process is outlined in figure 1.1. This unit will introduce the first 3 steps in the process, and include chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4.

The four steps in the process of statistics: identify the question and population, collect the data, organize and summarize the information, and make an inference if appropriate. The first step is circled and labeled "You are here! This is where we begin!" Braces show that Chapter 1 covers the first two steps, Chapters 2, 3, and 4 cover the third step, and Chapters 5 through 11 cover the fourth step.YOU ARE HERE!This is where we begin!Chapter 1Chapters 2, 3, and 4Chapters 5 through 11

Figure 1.1: The process of statistics

In Chapter 1 we identify the question we need answered and build a vocabulary that we will use throughout the book. Various methods of data collection are also discussed in chapter 1.

Chapter 2 uses tables and graphs to organize the data we collect. Chapter 3 will present numerical measurements that help us to describe data. Chapter 4 discusses and describes the relationship between two numerical variables.