Understanding Statistical Terms and Variables for Data Analysis

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter corinnagirl
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Statistical Terms
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on understanding statistical terms and variables, specifically mean, standard deviation, and mean variance, as they relate to data analysis. The user, corinnagirl, seeks clarification on the meaning of these terms and their implications for data representation. Participants emphasize the importance of knowing the statistical software used to generate the output, as different tools may have varying terminologies. The conversation highlights the necessity of consulting user manuals for specific software to better understand statistical outputs.

PREREQUISITES
  • Basic understanding of statistical concepts such as mean and standard deviation
  • Familiarity with statistical software outputs
  • Knowledge of data representation techniques
  • Ability to interpret variance in data sets
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the specific statistical software used to generate the output, such as SPSS or R
  • Learn about the interpretation of mean variance in statistical analysis
  • Explore user manuals for statistical software to understand output terminology
  • Study data visualization techniques to improve representation quality
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for data analysts, students in statistics, and anyone seeking to enhance their understanding of statistical outputs and data representation methods.

corinnagirl
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Hello guys,

can you explain something to me please? :confused:
Hmm.. looking for a way to insert an image. Well, just the link then: http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/1579/stuffjf8.png

The blurry variables-things on the left are different input parameters, these are divided into 4 groups (top 1-4). Now I wonder what all the numbers mean. This is what I think:

Mean: the mean of all values inside a group
Standard deviation: deviation from mean
Mean variance: tricky. Under mean-variance I can only find strange financial explanations, under 'variance': how possible values are spread out around an expected value

Right, but what does that mean? Can I say with these information how the variables are represented within a group? Can I say something about the quality of this representation and if so, what would be a good representation?:frown: If I'm totally wrong, what can I actually do with this? :cry::cry::cry:

thanks a lot,

corinnagirl
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Is your table an output from a statistical software? If it is, you might try to find a user's manual and see if it has similar examples.

Can you explain the process behind the table? How were these numbers generated? For what purpose?

Knowing very little about the specifics, your mean and std. dev. definitions seem to be correct in a general sense. I cannot answer what mean var. is (nor any of your further questions) without knowing more about your objective (the specifics).
 
Last edited:
EnumaElish said:
Is your table an output from a statistical software? If it is, you might try to find a user's manual and see if it has similar examples.
Er, quoting myself... What I meant was, do you know which statistical software has generated this output? And the reason I am asking this is that different software packages may name things differently. It may be helpful for me to know which software produced this output.

As well, PF posting guidelines require that:

if your problem is related to undergrad material, it should be under the relevant homework section.

per the above statement please request your thread to be moved to the relevant homework section.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Scaling and Standardization in Statistical Analysis
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Undergrad Data Analaysis -- How to choose the best statistical model to use?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Undergrad Finding bias of the coin from noise corrupted signals
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Undergrad Statistical modeling and relationship between random variables
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
High School Here's a Statistics problem for game of Polo (or Hockey if you like)
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
993
Undergrad Categorical vs Numerical Variables
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
Undergrad What to do with biased estimators if we don't know the bias term?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Undergrad Desirable estimator properties...
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
MHB Calculating statistical values from given data
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Undergrad Observational Studies: What to Believe
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K