Population
: A collection or set of individuals, scores, items, objects or items to be analyzed.
Conceptual Population:
Population studied after specific measures were tested and used to
create the population. After examining certain type of steel beam in a construction project,
samples of the same beam were subjected to other treatments to increase the strength and
durability.
Sample
:
A subset of population. A smaller group of population members picked from the
population. In most engineering statistical studies, a random sample is mostly used for the
method to work correctly.
Variable
: A characteristic of interest about each individual element of population. In a study of f
braking points of shear pins the breaking point is the variable.
Range of variables
:
Associating numerical values with a variable is called the range of variables.
Assuming a study is being done on the heights of 250 shear pins and their breaking points to
disengage a machinery. If no other categories or properties used and each pin is identified with
a number from 1-250.
Analytical study
: a study or and experiment where the conclusions are to be drawn relative to a
future population
.
Enumerative Study
: a study about a sample used to make a conclusion about the population
that the sample was drawn from.
Data
: The value of variables associated with members of population or sample. Data is almost
always the sample picked from the population.
Example
: Breaking points of shear pins used to break in order to disengage a heavy machinery
system and preventing it from further damage to the machinery.
Experiment
: A planned activity whose results yield a set of data.
Example
:
100 shear pins are used and subjected to forces beyond the manufacturer's
recommended standards. The number of attempts and the results are recorded to determine
an average breaking points. Subjecting the shear pins to higher forces than recommended is the
experiment.
Parameter
: A numerical value describing some characteristic of population.
Statistic
:
A numerical value describing some characteristic of sample.
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