Popular types of information to convey using descriptive statistics are:

  1. Central tendency - mean or median value
  2. Variability - standard deviation, range, interquartile range
  3. Frequencies or relative frequencies - counts in a category or range, proportions, rates
  4. Relationships - correlation coefficient, difference in means or proportions, odds ratio/relative risk

The goal of any descriptive statistic is to accurately convey important information without needing to showcase the entire set of data. For example, a correlation coefficient can provide a good summary of the relationship in a scatter plot (though not in all cases!)

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Practice

Descriptive statistics are an essential tool when working data; however, there are often many different descriptive statistics that could be used to convey information. It is important to understand the types of choices that can be made and their implications.

Scenario 1: Suppose you’d like to describe how financially well off the residents of a particular neighborhood are. Additionally, suppose you have the power to ascertain any information about each resident that you think might be useful. What you share to most accurately convey this aspect of the neighborhood?

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Scenario 2: Suppose a new disease has emerged in your community and you are trying to decide how worried you should be. Further, suppose you have the ability ascertain any descriptive statistic related to the impacts of this disease without any barriers or challenges; however, you may only rely upon one descriptive statistic.

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