Introduction to Statistics: Difference between revisions
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== Preamble == | == Preamble == | ||
Statistics is permeated by probability. An understanding of basic probability is critical for the understanding of the basic mathematical underpinning of statistics. Strictly speaking the word 'statistics' means | Statistics is permeated by probability. An understanding of basic probability is critical for the understanding of the basic mathematical underpinning of statistics. Strictly speaking the word 'statistics' means one or more measures describing the characteristics of a population. We use the term here in a more idiomatic sense to mean everything to do with sampling and the establishment of population measures. | ||
Most statistical procedures use probability to make a statement about the relationship between the independent variables and the dependent variables. Typically, the question one attempts to answer using statistics is that there is a relationship between two variables. To demonstrate that there is a relationship the experimenter must show that when one variable changes the second variable changes and that the amount of change is more than would be likely from mere chance alone. | Most statistical procedures use probability to make a statement about the relationship between the independent variables and the dependent variables. Typically, the question one attempts to answer using statistics is that there is a relationship between two variables. To demonstrate that there is a relationship the experimenter must show that when one variable changes the second variable changes and that the amount of change is more than would be likely from mere chance alone. | ||