1. Define descriptive and inferential statistics. Focus on the difference between the two
types of approach.
On the one hand, descriptive statistics is a discipline that is based on presenting a set of data,
so that they can be organized, summarized, and described more simply. Likewise, to compare
descriptive and inferential statistics, it is important to mention that descriptive statistics work in
the present tense, structuring data and revealing how the sample behaves at a given moment. On
the other hand, inferential statistics is based on analyzing the data of a population or sample, to
make predictions or conclusions, which are related to the possible behavior of a particular
phenomenon. So, to further distinguish descriptive and inferential statistics, you should know
that inferential statistics works considering the future, through its inferences and estimates.
2. Define population and sample. List typical parameters from population and sample
statistics.
The research population is a complete set of elements that have a common parameter among
themselves. The research population does not necessarily have to be human. It can be any
collection of data that has a common parameter. On the other hand, a sample is the smallest part
of the total, that is, a subset of the entire population. When surveys are conducted, the sample is
the members of the population who are invited to participate in the survey.
3. Refer to Table 1.6 (textbook) and indicate the types of variable and the scale of
measurement for each variable.
VARIABLE NAME
TYPE
SCALE OF
MEASUREMENT
TABLET
Qualititative/discrete
Nominal
COST
Quantitative/continuous
Ratio
OPERATING SYSTEM
Qualititative/discrete
Nominal
DISPLAY SIZE (INCHES)
Qualititative/discrete
Nominal
BATTERY LIFE
Quantitative/continuous
Ratio
CPU MANUFACTURER
Qualititative/discrete
Nominal
4. Refer to Table 1.6 (textbook) and Indicate how you can summarize the information in
each variable.
With the exception of "Tablet," all of the nominal data elements can be condensed into
frequency and relative frequency lists. Because tablet only appears once per name label and
has a frequency of 1 or a relative frequency of 0.1, it cannot be summed.