Population |
Definition:
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The entire collection of persons, things, or objects we want to study.
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Examples: |
cows, pigs, horses, jaguars, rabbits, squirrels |
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Sample |
Definition:
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A portion of the population which represents that population (the sample will have the same characteristics as the entire population).
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Examples: |
horses, jaguars, squirrels |
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Parameter |
Definition:
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A number that is a property of the population.
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Examples: |
- average GPA (Grade Point Average)
- proportion of voters in a district
- standard deviation of house prices
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Statistic |
Definition:
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A number that is a property of the sample. In most cases, the parameter is not known. It is estimated by the statistic.
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Examples: |
- average GPA = 3.25
- proportion of voters in a district = 13/22
- standard deviation of house prices = $10,000
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Variable |
Definition:
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Denoted by capital letters like X and Y. It is a characteristic of interest of the population.
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Examples: |
 Let X = the number of continents in the world that a person has visited
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Data |
Definition:
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Actual values of the variable.
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Examples: |
2 Continents (Asia & Europe) |
