Statistics
Study of data collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation.
Advanced Topics
Statistical Inference
What is Statistical Inference?
Statistical inference lets us use data from a sample to make conclusions about a larger group (the population).
Key Concepts
- Population: The whole group you want to learn about.
- Sample: A smaller group selected from the population.
- Confidence Intervals: A range of values that likely includes the true answer.
- Hypothesis Testing: Deciding if your results are likely real or just due to chance.
Why is this Important?
We often can't measure an entire population, so we rely on statistical inference to make smart guesses based on samples.
Real-World Use
Doctors use samples to test new medicines, and pollsters use surveys to predict election results.
Examples
Estimating the average height of all students in a school by measuring just one class.
Testing if a new teaching method works better using a sample of students.
In a Nutshell
Statistical inference helps us draw conclusions about big groups from small samples.