NUR 80A/B Lecture 4: Winter Week 4 - Probability and Sampling Distributions
13 Dec 2011
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Document Summary
Winter week 4 - probability and sampling distributions. The study of probability is the basis for the normal curve and the foundation for inferential statistics. The study of probability is the basis for determining the degree of confidence we have in stating that a particular finding or outcome is true. Researchers collect data from one sample ideally representative of the population (probability sample) Therefore, researchers must decide whether sample values (statistics) are a good estimate of population values (parameters) Inferential statistics are used to help the researcher determine the mathematical probability that the findings from a sample are accurate and not the result of chance because a sample was studied, not the entire population. Example: a researcher is interested in knowing the level of knowledge that nursing students have in statistics. The researcher randomly selects 25 nursing students from a population of. 500 in a nursing program and asks them to complete a statistics test.
