Statistics

[MMDad]

Could someone who has a good background in statistics clarify something for me? You have a population of 500,000. In one year, 100 of them do something. The next year, 120 of them do the same thing. Is that statistically significant? Or is the sample so small that nothing could be inferred from the increase?

It looks to me like the rate went from .02% to .024%, for an increase of .004%.

There's a news story in the Washington post that calls the increase 20%. Is this statistically sound, or are they being sensational?

 

[Lugnut]

There's a news story in the Washington post that calls the increase 20%. Is this statistically sound, or are they being sensational?

Going from 100 to 120 (or .02 to .024) is a 20% increase. The media makes everything sensational. That's how they shnooker people.

So... Yes, and yes.

 

[outlawrc]

Could someone who has a good background in statistics clarify something for me? You have a population of 500,000. In one year, 100 of them do something. The next year, 120 of them do the same thing. Is that statistically significant? Or is the sample so small that nothing could be inferred from the increase?

It looks to me like the rate went from .02% to .024%, for an increase of .004%.

There's a news story in the Washington post that calls the increase 20%. Is this statistically sound, or are they being sensational?

IMPO, it is a 20% increase of the original number of people that did the thing, not 20% of the population, if it is in that context then 20% is correct.

 

[PrchJrkr]

Going from 100 to 120 (or .02 to .024) is a 20% increase. The media makes everything sensational. That's how they shnooker people.

So... Yes, and yes.

Same way with the sales tax increase in MD. Some say it's only a 1% increase when actually it's 20%.

 

[MMDad]

Same way with the sales tax increase in MD. Some say it's only a 1% increase when actually it's 20%.

That's interesting, because the Washington Post is one place that called the sales tax increase 1% because they like it. But the increase of 100 to 120 Army suicides is a 20% increase because they want to show how bad things are.

I just don't see how such a small percentage could be statistically significant.

 

[theArtistFormerlyKnownAs]

That's interesting, because the Washington Post is one place that called the sales tax increase 1% because they like it. But the increase of 100 to 120 Army suicides is a 20% increase because they want to show how bad things are.

I just don't see how such a small percentage could be statistically significant.

I wouldn't say it is. I would think the rate of error would be even higher than that difference :shrug:

 

[Roughidle]

I just don't see how such a small percentage could be statistically significant.

I guess it's only significant if you're part of the small percentage that is effected.

 

[Mateo]

You have to remember, there are lies, lies and then statistics.
It was a 0700am class and I always fell asleep.

 

[qbee]

Would anyone like to do my stats homework?

 

[theArtistFormerlyKnownAs]

Would anyone like to do my stats homework?

did mine last night, got a B

its also a basic/intro to stat class

 

[qbee]

did mine last night, got a B

its also a basic/intro to stat class

That didnt help me

 

[theArtistFormerlyKnownAs]

That didnt help me

well, are you in my class?

i'm taking an online class...we have a quiz like once a week...this was the first and I thought it was real ez...

so if thats what you have, you can probably handle it alone, just have your book handy

 

[qbee]

well, are you in my class?

i'm taking an online class...we have a quiz like once a week...this was the first and I thought it was real ez...

so if thats what you have, you can probably handle it alone, just have your book handy

What school are you taking your class at?

 

[Larry Gude]

They taught us...

Same way with the sales tax increase in MD. Some say it's only a 1% increase when actually it's 20%.

...this stuff back in Junior high, right?

Mean, mode, average, rise, run, etc.

Maryland raised taxes 1%. That represents a 20% increase. Both are accurate. Then, it gets into perspective and motive.

Right?

 

[theArtistFormerlyKnownAs]

...this stuff back in Junior high, right?

Mean, mode, average, rise, run, etc.

Maryland raised taxes 1%. That represents a 20% increase. Both are accurate. Then, it gets into perspective and motive.

Right?

right....

BASICALLY

it is an increase of one "percent" but it is a COST increase of 20% (of what you WERE spending before)

 

[Larry Gude]

Or it could be...

right....

BASICALLY

it is an increase of one "percent" but it is a COST increase of 20% (of what you WERE spending before)

...worded an 'increase' of 20% (from 5 to 6).

And it could be said to only cost 1% more than before in terms of what the actual increase costs.

Bottom line going from 5% to 6% isn't a big deal BUT Paying a 6% sales tax is outrageous!

 

[marianne]

Could someone who has a good background in statistics clarify something for me? You have a population of 500,000. In one year, 100 of them do something. The next year, 120 of them do the same thing. Is that statistically significant? Or is the sample so small that nothing could be inferred from the increase?

It looks to me like the rate went from .02% to .024%, for an increase of .004%.

There's a news story in the Washington post that calls the increase 20%. Is this statistically sound, or are they being sensational?

Okay, so you've identified your population (N) as 500,000. But you haven't identified your sample size (n). You say 100 of them do something. Is 100=n and thus all of units in your population (100%) are doing this thing in year one? The same question applies to year two - what's n?

To answer your questin about statistically significant you need to perform a t-test.

 

[MMDad]

Okay, so you've identified your population (N) as 500,000. But you haven't identified your sample size (n). You say 100 of them do something. Is 100=n and thus all of units in your population (100%) are doing this thing in year one? The same question applies to year two - what's n?

To answer your questin about statistically significant you need to perform a t-test.

Sample size is 500,000. 121 soldiers commited suicide last year, up from 100 the previous year. According to the article, there were about 500,000 soldiers in the Army.

By the way, that rate is consistent with 19-24 year olds in the general population, which makes me think it's even more sensational grandstanding.