Introduction to Statistics (Online Edition)/Introduction

by David M. Lane, David Scott, Mikki Hebl, Rudy Guerra, Dan Osherson, Heidi Zimmer

1. Introduction

This chapter begins by discussing what statistics are and why the study of statistics is important. Subsequent sections cover a variety of topics all basic to the study of statistics. The only theme common to all of these sections is that they cover concepts and ideas important for other chapters in the book.

A. What are Statistics?
B. Importance of Statistics
C. Descriptive Statistics
D. Inferential Statistics
E. Variables
F. Percentiles
G. Measurement
H. Levels of Measurement
I. Distributions
J. Summation Notation
K. Linear Transformations
L. Logarithms
M. Exercises