Inferences Module Overview

Introduction

Students will use measures of center and variability to help describe different populations and make comparisons between two populations. Students will learn how to complete a random survey showing a more accurate reflection of the population being surveyed. Students will use random sampling data to analyze a population.

Essential Questions

How can you use measures of center and variability to compare two populations?
How can you use a sample to gather information about a population?
How can samples be used to make predictions about a population?
Why is a random sample more reflective of the population than other means of sampling?

Key Terms

The following key terms will help you understand the content in this module.

Biased Sample - A biased sample is a sample that does not fairly represent the population.

Box Plot - The box plot, also known as a box and whisker plot is a standardized way of displaying the distribution of data based on the five number summaries - minimum, first quartile, median, third quartile, and maximum.

Dot Plot - A dot plot is a statistical chart consisting of data points plotted on a number line.

Convenience Sample - A convenience sample is a sample based on members of the population that are readily available

Interquartile Range (IQR) - The interquartile range is a measure of variability, based on dividing a data set into quartiles or four equal parts. The values that divide each part are called the first, second, and third quartiles and they are denoted by Q1, Q2, and Q3, respectively.

Measure of Center - The measure of center is a measure that describes the center of the data - mean, median, mode

Population - The population is the entire group being studied or surveyed.

Random Sample - A random sample is a sample in which every individual in the population has an equal chance of being chosen and is representative of the entire population.

Sample - A sample is a part of the population.

Variability - The variability is the spread of the data.

Stratified Sample - A stratified sample is drawn from a number of separate subgroups of the population, rather than at random from the whole population, in order that it should be representative. (For example separate whole group into boys and girls, then randomly sample each group)

Systematic Sample - Systematic sampling is a type of sampling method in which sample members from a larger population are selected according to a random starting point and a fixed, periodic interval. (For example.. every 5th person)

Median - The median is a value or quantity lying at the midpoint of a frequency distribution.

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