Some basic statistical concepts

Abstract

Starting from the premise that the reader has little experience of statistics, the chapter reviews the concept of populations and their estimation, and defines the meaning of 'lots' and 'samples'. This leads to a consideration of parameters and statistics that are used to describe populations and samples, such as estimates of ranges, median and mean values, and errors (variance, standard deviations, standard error of the mean). The meaning and use of confidence intervals and confidence limits to describe populations is described and illustrated in relation to the use of hypotheses in statistical science. A worked example provides instruction on estimation of the basic parameters described earlier. The references include both citations and suggestions for general reading.