Stats what does n mean

Mathematicians use the statistic to describe data much as you might use one word to describe a situation or thing or person. It's not a perfect summary, but it is all that might be needed.

The Statistic Meaning Center Number, n, is the statistic describing how big the set of numbers is, how many pieces of data are in the set. Average is the statistic which describes the center of a set of data, a set of numbers which are measurements or counts. The most commonly used averages are the mean arithmetic average , mode most frequent number , median middle number when numbers are listed smallest to largest.

The mean, for example, is the average computed by adding each piece of data , each number in the set, then dividing the total by n, the number of numbers. See mean. For a sample of numbers, add the numbers, divide by the number of numbers, n. For the entire set a population of numbers, add the numbers, divide by the number of numbers, n.

The Statistics Measuring Spread Range and standard deviation are statistics which measure spread - how the data is distributed.

For example, P refers to a population proportion; and p, to a sample proportion. N refers to population size; and n, to sample size. When there are samples from more than one population, N is used to indicate the total number of subjects sampled and is equal to a n. Uppercase N represents the population size and lowercase n is for samples. The sample size is very important as it influences the power of being able to estimate various statistics quite well or quite badly depending on the size of the effect such as difference between means.

Technically it should be lower-case n, but upper case N is often used. A group of respondents who agree to be surveyed a number of times — for exmple, each month, for a year — in order to detect trends in their behaviour or opinions. Generalisability is the extent to which the findings of a study can be applicable to other settings. It is also known as external validity. Generalisability requires internal validity as well as a judgement on whether the findings of a study are applicable to a particular group.

Both qualitative and quantitative research methods have their flaws. However, it is imperative to note that quantitative research method deals with a larger population and quantifiable data and will, therefore, produce a more reliable result than qualitative research.

Qualitative observations are made when you use your senses to observe the results. Sight, smell, touch, taste and hear. Quantitative observations are made with instruments such as rulers, balances, graduated cylinders, beakers, and thermometers.

These results are measurable. The hair colors of players on a football team, the color of cars in a parking lot, the letter grades of students in a classroom, the types of coins in a jar, and the shape of candies in a variety pack are all examples of qualitative data so long as a particular number is not assigned to any of these descriptions.

Qualitative data describes qualities or characteristics. It is collected using questionnaires, interviews, or observation, and frequently appears in narrative form.

For example, it could be notes taken during a focus group on the quality of the food at Cafe Mac, or responses from an open-ended questionnaire. Qualitative research involves collecting and analyzing non-numerical data e. Qualitative research is the opposite of quantitative research, which involves collecting and analyzing numerical data for statistical analysis.