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Unit 3:Inferential Statistics

Unit Outline

Chapter 8- Hypothesis Testing

Chapter 9- Confidence Intervals

Chapter 10- Two-Sample Inference

Chapter 11- Further Inference

You made it! We have finally arrived at the final step of the process of statistics, making an inference about a population based on data. This is the payoff for all you have learned. See figure 8.1.

The four steps in the process of statistics: identify the question and population, collect the data, organize and summarize the information, and make an inference if appropriate. A brace over the first three steps is labeled "Unit 1: Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4." An arrow labeled "Unit 2: Chapters 5, 6 and 7" points to the arrow between organizing the information and making an inference. The final step, making an inference, is circled and labeled "You are here! Unit 3: Chapters 8, 9, 10, and 11."Unit 1: Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4Unit 2: Chapters 5, 6 and 7YOU ARE HERE!Unit 3: Chapters 8, 9, 10, and 11

Figure 8.1: The process of statistics

Unit 1 showed how to collect sample data, and how to find sample statistics.

Unit 2 showed us how to compute probability relating to sampling distributions.

Unit 3 puts the first two units together. We will use sampling distributions and statistics from sample data to find probability and make inferences.

There are two types of inferences we will make. We will

•Use sample data and probability to either support or refute claims made about populations (chapter 8)

•Use sample data to make estimates about unknown population parameters and use probability to create a margin of error for the estimate (chapter 9)

Chapter 10 contains both types of inference applied to two samples.

Inference is the culmination of our work. It can be a little confusing, but keep in mind that we are simply using probability and sample data to judge or estimate a population parameter.