Foundations of Statistics: Concepts and Methods
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This comprehensive educational material, "CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICS," serves as an foundational guide to the principles of statistics. It begins by defining core statistical terms like population, sample, variable, and data, illustrating them with practical examples. The document then categorizes statistics into descriptive and inferential, explaining their distinct applications. Furthermore, it details various types of data and variables, distinguishing between qualitative and quantitative, and further breaking down quantitative variables into discrete and continuous. A significant portion is dedicated to explaining levels of measurement (nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio) and a wide array of sampling techniques, including probability (simple random, systematic, stratified, cluster, multi-stage) and non-probability (convenience, judgmental, quota, snowball) methods. Finally, it touches upon data collection methods and the characteristics of Big Data, concluding with numerous exercises to reinforce understanding of these fundamental concepts.
