Unit 1 - Chapter 1 Vocab

The objects described by a set of data. May be people, animals, or things.

• Variables

• Individuals

• Population

• Sample

Any characteristic of an individual. Can be opinions, physical traits, numeric measurements, etc.

• Variables

• Individuals

• Sample

• Census

This type of variable places an individual into one of several groups or categories. For example: hair color, class year, political party.

• Quantitative Variable

• Qualitative Variable

• Categorical Variable

• Numeric Variable

This type of variable takes on a numeric value for which arithmetic operations (such as finding an average) makes sense. For example: height, weight, GPA.

• Quantitative Variable

• Qualitative Variable

• Categorical Variable

• Observational Variable

This type of study observes subjects and measures variables of interest but does not attempt to influence responses. The researcher attempts to not interfere in any way.

• Experiment

• Census

• Sample Survey

• Observational Study

A type of observational study that gathers data by selecting individuals to participate (typically to answer survey questions) and represent a larger group

• Experiment

• Sample Survey

• Census

The entire group of subjects about which we want information.

• Sample

• Population

• Census

• Individual

A part of the population from which we actually collect information, which is then used to draw conclusions about the whole population.

• Population

• Sample

• Individuals

• Variables

A sample survey that attempts to include the entire population. The U.S. Government conducts a nationwide one every ten years.

• Observational Study

• Experiment

• Census

• Sample Survey

This is a study that deliberately imposes treatment on subjects in order to observe their responses. The researcher does interfere in the environment. The purpose is to study whether the treatment causes a change in the response.

• Census

• Sample Survey

• Observation Study

• Experiment