Introduction to

Statistics and Data

Lecture 1

Recommended Readings:

What are “stats”?• Short for Statistics• “Numerical Facts” (Anderson et al., 1994).• Representation the general area of statistical analysis

incorporating its methods and application (Thomas and Nelson, 1996).

• “Simply an objective means of interpreting a set of observations” (Newell et al., 2010).

They are used to make sense of phenomena, occurrences, or behaviors.

THE NATURE OF DATA AND INFORMATION

What is data?• Stats are = “Numerical Facts”- (Anderson et al., 1994)• The use of statistics (facts) to do analysis or communicate. “Simply an

objective means of interpreting a set of observations” (Newell et al., 2010).

Stats● Lebron’s 2012 28

PPG

● Barry Bonds 73 HRs

● Marshawn Lynch 110 Yard Game

Data● Lebron’s career PPG per

season (collectively)● Barry Bonds Walks per

season● Marshawn Lynch career

rushing totals

VS.

What is data?

• Facts• Knowledge• Intentions• Attitudes• Motives

Data structures must be unambiguous

Unambiguous algorithms written to

populate and use data structures

What is data?

Scales of Measurement•Nominal Scale:

•Ordinal Scale:

•Interval Scale:

•Ratio Scale:

Define for your field

Statistics:Data:Advanced Metric:Analytics:

Define for your field: Basketball Example

Statistics:

Data:

Advanced Metric:

Analytics:

● 6 rebounds● 45 rebounds in 2014-2015

● 8.6 oReb%

● The use of RPG, oReb%, dReb%, and rebR to make a decision based around rebounding.

Breaking it down:Offensive Rebounding Percentage

ORB% = ORB / MP / (TmORB + OppDRB) *TmMp / 5

Advanced Metric

Player Stats

Team Data Critical Thinking:Why is this placed here?

What does this do?

Units of Analysis

• Variables: defined measurable characteristics– Physical (biometrics): HT, WT, BMI

Statistics in Research

• Quantitative or Qualitative?

Class Activity: Issues in Research

• Read pages 10-18 in O’Donoghue• Find three examples of either naïve use or

misuse of statistics.

Measurement Issues

• Validity, objectivity, and reliability– Participants– Method: Pre- and Post-– Equipment

Misuse of Statistics

• Naïve use• Intentional misuse of statistics

Uses and Misuses of Graphical Statistics

Uses and Misuses of Graphical Statistics

Read Chapter 2 in O’Donoghue and complete Chapter 3 Tutorial