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what is the difference between parameter and statistic
Message posted by Charles (via 216.47.213.203) on January 12, 2002 at 7:24 PM (ET)
What is the difference between parameter and statistic? What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative variables? What is the difference between continuous and discrete variables?
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Re: what is the difference between parameter and statistic
Message posted by JG (via 172.153.53.227) on January 13, 2002 at 1:18 AM (ET)
parameter - fixed number, statistic - something that varies from sample to sample because it is calculated from data; quantitative - weight, qualitative - eye color; continuous - weight, discrete - number of limbs .
Re: what is the difference between parameter and statistic
Message posted by Phil (via 165.247.234.254) on January 14, 2002 at 10:49 AM (ET)
In the world of statistics, a parameter is a constant that represents some characteristic of the population such as center (mean) or variation (standard deviation). It is fixed at any point in time. A "statistic" usually means a number or estimate derived from a sample taken from the data. Sometimes a statistic is used to "estimate" a parameter. This is a confusing concept for new students. In engineering, for example, the term "parameter" is often used to refer to a design variable and it that case it is NOT fixed. Discrete variables are "countable". Continuous variables are usually measured.
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