Parameters vs. Statistics

Parameters (P) are from a population (need census);

Statistics (S) are measures that come from a sample. A sample is a (hopefully representative) portion of the population.

Q3.

Indicate which of the following is a parameter (P) and which is a statistic (S):

Parameter (P)Statistic (S)

___ a) sample mean

___ b) population standard deviation ___ c) sample standard deviation ___ d) sample variance ___ e) population median ___ f) a mean obtained from the U.S. census ___ g) a mean obtained from sampling 2,000 American adults using random digit dialing (phone sample)

___ h) a mean obtained from sampling 10,000 teenagers on Facebook