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Statistics By Jim

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Sampling Frame: Definition & Examples

By Jim Frost Leave a Comment

What is a Sampling Frame?

A sampling frame lists all members of the population you’re studying. Your target population is the general concept of the group you’re assessing, while a sampling frame specifically lists all population members and how to contact them. It might also include demographic information for each person because some methods, such as stratified sampling, require it. [Read more…] about Sampling Frame: Definition & Examples

Filed Under: Basics Tagged With: conceptual, experimental design, sampling methods

Probability Mass Function: Definition, Uses & Example

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What is a Probability Mass Function?

A probability mass function (PMF) is a mathematical function that calculates the probability a discrete random variable will be a specific value. PMFs also describe the probability distribution for the full range of values for a discrete variable. A discrete random variable can take on a finite or countably infinite number of possible values, such as the number of heads in a series of coin flips or the number of customers who visit a store on a given day. [Read more…] about Probability Mass Function: Definition, Uses & Example

Filed Under: Probability Tagged With: distributions, graphs

Using Scientific Notation

By Jim Frost Leave a Comment

What is Scientific Notation?

Scientific notation is a compact way of writing numbers that are too large or too small to be conveniently written in decimal form. It is a shorthand letting us write numbers using powers of 10. Scientific fields such as astronomy, physics, chemistry, and statistics frequently use scientific notation.

Below is an example of shorthand notation:

  • 3.2 X 108
  • 3.2 X 10^8
  • 3.2E8

All three forms of scientific notation are equivalent. In the last format, the E stands for exponent.

In this blog post, you’ll learn how to interpret scientific notation, convert numbers to this format, and how to use it for multiplication and division. [Read more…] about Using Scientific Notation

Filed Under: Basics

Selection Bias: Definition & Examples

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What is Selection Bias?

Selection bias occurs when researchers make decisions that cause a sample to be systematically different from the population of interest.

Selection bias can arise from various decisions, such as:

  • Using an improper sampling method.
  • Making particular methodology and data choices.
  • Choosing a study design that affects the continued participation of subjects.

[Read more…] about Selection Bias: Definition & Examples

Filed Under: Basics Tagged With: bias sources, conceptual, experimental design, sampling methods

ANCOVA: Uses, Assumptions & Example

By Jim Frost Leave a Comment

What is ANCOVA?

ANCOVA, or the analysis of covariance, is a powerful statistical method that analyzes the differences between three or more group means while controlling for the effects of at least one continuous covariate. [Read more…] about ANCOVA: Uses, Assumptions & Example

Filed Under: ANOVA Tagged With: analysis example, assumptions, choosing analysis, interpreting results

Fibonacci Sequence: Formula & Uses

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What is the Fibonacci Sequence?

The Fibonacci sequence is a series of numbers that appears in surprisingly many aspects of nature, from the branching of trees to the spiral shapes of shells. This series is named after the Italian mathematician Leonardo Fibonacci. [Read more…] about Fibonacci Sequence: Formula & Uses

Filed Under: Basics Tagged With: conceptual

Undercoverage Bias: Definition & Examples

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What is Undercoverage Bias?

Undercoverage bias occurs when the population list from which the researchers select their sample (aka the sampling frame) does not include all population members. When that happens, the sample cannot contain the unlisted individuals, potentially producing a biased sample that doesn’t fully represent the population. [Read more…] about Undercoverage Bias: Definition & Examples

Filed Under: Basics Tagged With: bias sources, conceptual, experimental design

Matched Pairs Design: Uses & Examples

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What is a Matched Pairs Design?

A matched pairs design is an experimental design where researchers match pairs of participants by relevant characteristics. Then the researchers randomly assign one person from each pair to the treatment group and the other to the control group. This type of experiment is also known as a matching pairs design. [Read more…] about Matched Pairs Design: Uses & Examples

Filed Under: Basics Tagged With: experimental design

Nonresponse Bias: Definition & Reducing

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What is Nonresponse Bias?

Nonresponse bias occurs when people who do not participate in a survey or study have different characteristics or opinions than those who do participate. In this situation, the sample data overrepresent the subpopulations who tend to respond instead of reflecting the whole population. [Read more…] about Nonresponse Bias: Definition & Reducing

Filed Under: Basics Tagged With: bias sources, conceptual, experimental design

Cumulative Distribution Function (CDF): Uses, Graphs & vs PDF

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What is a Cumulative Distribution Function?

A cumulative distribution function (CDF) describes the probabilities of a random variable having values less than or equal to x. It is a cumulative function because it sums the total likelihood up to that point. Its output always ranges between 0 and 1. [Read more…] about Cumulative Distribution Function (CDF): Uses, Graphs & vs PDF

Filed Under: Probability Tagged With: analysis example, conceptual, distributions, graphs, interpreting results

Slope Intercept Form of Linear Equations: A Guide

By Jim Frost Leave a Comment

What is Slope Intercept Form?

The slope intercept form of linear equations is an algebraic representation of straight lines: y = mx + b. [Read more…] about Slope Intercept Form of Linear Equations: A Guide

Filed Under: Basics Tagged With: analysis example, graphs, interpreting results

Population vs Sample: Uses and Examples

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What is a Population vs Sample?

Population vs sample is a crucial distinction in statistics. Typically, researchers use samples to learn about populations. Let’s explore the differences between these concepts! [Read more…] about Population vs Sample: Uses and Examples

Filed Under: Basics Tagged With: conceptual, sampling methods

How to Calculate a Percentage

By Jim Frost Leave a Comment

Calculating percentages is a standard mathematical procedure. A percent is a ratio that you write as a fraction of 100. In this article, learn why percentages are crucial summary measures and how to calculate them. [Read more…] about How to Calculate a Percentage

Filed Under: Basics Tagged With: conceptual

Control Chart: Uses, Example, and Types

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What is a Control Chart?

Control charts determine whether a process is stable and in control or whether it is out of control and in need of adjustment. Some degree of variation is inevitable in any process. Control charts help prevent overreactions to normal process variability while prompting quick responses to unusual variation. Control charts are also known as Shewhart charts. [Read more…] about Control Chart: Uses, Example, and Types

Filed Under: Graphs Tagged With: quality improvement

Monte Carlo Simulation: Make Better Decisions

By Jim Frost 2 Comments

What is Monte Carlo Simulation?

Monte Carlo simulation uses random sampling to produce simulated outcomes of a process or system. This method uses random sampling to generate simulated input data and enters them into a mathematical model that describes the system. The simulation produces a distribution of outcomes that analysts can use to derive probabilities. [Read more…] about Monte Carlo Simulation: Make Better Decisions

Filed Under: Probability Tagged With: analysis example, distributions, Excel, interpreting results

Principal Component Analysis Guide & Example

By Jim Frost Leave a Comment

What is Principal Component Analysis?

Principal Component Analysis (PCA) takes a large data set with many variables per observation and reduces them to a smaller set of summary indices. These indices retain most of the information in the original set of variables. Analysts refer to these new values as principal components. [Read more…] about Principal Component Analysis Guide & Example

Filed Under: Basics Tagged With: analysis example, choosing analysis, conceptual, interpreting results, multivariate

Fishers Exact Test: Using & Interpreting

By Jim Frost Leave a Comment

Fishers exact test determines whether a statistically significant association exists between two categorical variables.

For example, does a relationship exist between gender (Male/Female) and voting Yes or No on a referendum? [Read more…] about Fishers Exact Test: Using & Interpreting

Filed Under: Hypothesis Testing Tagged With: analysis example, choosing analysis

Percent Change: Formula and Calculation Steps

By Jim Frost Leave a Comment

Percent change is the relative difference between an old value and a new value. Positive values represent an increase over time, while negative numbers indicate a reduction.

For example, if the price of a candy bar changes from $1 to $1.10, it’s a 10% increase. [Read more…] about Percent Change: Formula and Calculation Steps

Filed Under: Basics

X and Y Axis in Graphs

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What is the X and Y Axis?

The X and Y axis form the basis of most graphs. These two perpendicular lines define the coordinate plane. X and Y values can specify any point on this plane using the Cartesian coordinate system. [Read more…] about X and Y Axis in Graphs

Filed Under: Graphs Tagged With: conceptual

Simpsons Paradox Explained

By Jim Frost Leave a Comment

What is Simpsons Paradox?

Simpsons Paradox is a statistical phenomenon that occurs when you combine subgroups into one group. The process of aggregating data can cause the apparent direction and strength of the relationship between two variables to change. [Read more…] about Simpsons Paradox Explained

Filed Under: Basics Tagged With: bias sources, conceptual

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