Tag Archives: statistics
Minimum Description Length (MDL): Formula, Examples
Learning the concepts of Minimum Description Length (MDL) is valuable for several reasons, especially for those involved in statistics, machine learning, data science, and related fields. One of the fundamental problems in statistics and data analysis is choosing the best model from a set of potential models. The challenge is to find a model that captures the essential features of the data without overfitting. This is where methods such as MDL, AIC, BIC, etc. comes to rescue. MDL offers a principled way to balance model complexity against the goodness of fit. This is crucial in many areas, such as machine learning and statistical modeling, where overfitting is a common problem. …
Pearson vs Spearman: Choosing the Right Correlation Coefficient
Are you as a data scientist trying to decipher relationship between two or more variables within vast datasets to solve real-world problems? Whether it’s understanding the connection between physical exercise and heart health, or the link between study habits and exam scores, uncovering these relationships is crucial. But with different methods at our disposal, how do we choose the most suitable one? This is where the concept of correlation comes into play, and particularly, the choice between Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients becomes pivotal. The Pearson correlation coefficient is the go-to metric when both variables under consideration follow a normal distribution, assuming there’s a linear relationship between them. Conversely, the …
Pearson Correlation Coefficient: Formula, Examples
In the world of data science, understanding the relationship between variables is crucial for making informed decisions or building accurate machine learning models. Correlation is a fundamental statistical concept that measures the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables. However, without the right tools and knowledge, calculating correlation coefficients and p-values can be a daunting task for data scientists. This can lead to suboptimal decision-making, inaccurate predictions, and wasted time and resources. In this post, we will discuss what Pearson’s r represents, how it works mathematically (formula), its interpretation, statistical significance, and importance for making decisions in real-world applications such as business forecasting or medical diagnosis. We will …
t-distribution vs Normal distribution: Differences, Examples
Understanding the differences between the t-distribution and the normal distribution is crucial for anyone delving into the world of statistics, whether they’re students, professionals in research, or data enthusiasts trying to make sense of the world through numbers. But why should one care about the distinction between these two statistical distributions? The answer lies in the heart of hypothesis testing, confidence interval estimation, and predictive modeling. When faced with a set of data, choosing the correct distribution to describe it can greatly influence the accuracy of your conclusions. The normal distribution is often the default assumption due to its simplicity and the central limit theorem, which states that the means …
One Sample T-test: Calculations, Formula & Examples
In statistics, the t-test is often used in research when the researcher wants to know if there is a significant difference between the mean of sample and the population, or whether there is a significant difference between the means of two different groups. There are two types of t-tests: the one sample t-test and the two samples t-test. As data scientists, it is important for us to understand the concepts of t-test and how to use it in our data analysis. In this blog post, we will focus on the one sample t-test and explain with formula and examples. What is one-sample T-test? One-sample T-test is a statistical hypothesis testing …
Insurance & Linear Regression Model Example
Ever wondered how insurance companies determine the premiums you pay for your health insurance? Predicting insurance premiums is more than just a numbers game—it’s a task that can impact millions of lives. In this blog, we’ll demystify this complex process by walking you through an end-to-end example of predicting health insurance premium charges by demonstrating with Python code example. Specifically, we’ll use a linear regression model to predict these charges based on various factors like age, BMI, and smoking status. Whether you’re a beginner in data science or a seasoned professional, this blog will offer valuable insights into building and evaluating regression models. What is Linear Regression? Linear Regression is …
Chi-square test – Formula, Concepts, Examples
The Pearson’s Chi-square (χ2) test is a statistical test used to determine whether the distribution of observed data is consistent with the distribution of data expected under a particular hypothesis. The Chi-square test can be used to compare or evaluate the independence of two distributions, or to assess the goodness of fit of a given distribution to observed data. In this blog post, we will discuss different types of Chi-square tests, the concepts behind them, and how to perform them using Python / R. As data scientists, it is important to have a strong understanding of the Chi-square test so that we can use it to make informed decisions about …
Sign Test Hypothesis: Python Examples, Concepts
Have you ever wanted to make an informed decision, but all you have is a small amount of non-parametric data? In the realm of statistics, we have various tools that enable us to extract valuable insights from such datasets. One of these handy tools is the Sign test, a beautifully simple yet potent method for hypothesis testing. Sign test is a non-parametric test which is often seen as a cousin to the one-sample t-test, allows us to infer information about a whole population based on a small, paired sample. It is particularly useful when dealing with dichotomous data – Data that can have only two possible outcomes. In this blog …
Mann-Whitney U Test (Wilcoxon Rank Sum): Python Example
In the ever-evolving world of data science, extracting meaningful insights from diverse data sets is a fundamental task. However, a significant problem arises when these data sets do not conform to the assumptions of normality and equal variances, rendering popular parametric tests like the t-test ineffectual. Real-world data often tends to be skewed, includes outliers, or originates from an unknown distribution. For instance, data related to salaries, house prices, or user behavior metrics often challenge traditional statistical methods. This is where the Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test, also known as the Mann-Whitney U test, proves to be an invaluable statistical test. As a non-parametric alternative to the independent two-sample t-test, it …
Types of Data Visualization: Charts, Plots Examples
In today’s data-driven world, the ability to extract insights from vast amounts of information has become a critical skill for data scientists and analysts. Visualizing data through charts, graphs, and other types of visual representations can help them uncover patterns and relationships that might be difficult to spot otherwise. However, not all visualizations are created equal, and choosing the right type of visualization can make all the difference in communicating insights effectively. That’s why understanding the different types of visualization available is crucial for data visualization experts and data scientists. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the most common types of visualization, including comparison plots, relation plots, composition plots …
Kruskal Wallis H Test Formula, Python Example
Ever wondered how to find out if different groups of people have different preferences? Maybe you’re a marketer trying to understand if different age groups prefer different features in a smartphone. Or perhaps you’re a public policy researcher, trying to determine if different neighborhoods are equally satisfied with their local services. How do you go about answering these questions, especially when the data doesn’t follow the typical bell-shaped curve or normal distribution? The solution lies in the Kruskal-Wallis H Test! This is a non-parametric test that helps to compare more than two independent groups and it comes in really handy when the data is not bell-shaped curve data or not …
Clinical Trials & Statistics Use Cases: Examples
Are you a statistician, data scientist or business analyst working in the field of clinical trials? Do you find yourself curious about how statistical analyses play a pivotal role in unlocking valuable actionable insights and driving critical decisions in drug development? If so, in this blog, we will learn about various different use cases where clinical trials and statistics intersect. Clinical trials are the backbone of evidence-based medicine, paving the way for the discovery and development of innovative therapies that can improve patient outcomes. Within this realm, statistics allows researchers and analysts to make sense of complex data, evaluate treatment efficacy, assess safety profiles, and optimize trial design. In this …
Spearman Correlation Coefficient: Formula, Examples
Have you ever wondered how you might determine the relationship between two sets of data that aren’t necessarily linear, or perhaps don’t adhere to the assumptions of other correlation measures? Enter the Spearman Rank Correlation Coefficient, a non-parametric statistic that offers robust insights into the monotonic relationship between two variables – perfect for dealing with ranked variables or exploring potential relationships in a new, exploratory dataset. In this blog post, we will learn the concepts of Spearman correlation coefficient with the help of Python code examples. Understanding the concept can prove to be very helpful for data scientists. Whether you’re exploring associations in marketing data, results from a customer satisfaction …
Binomial Distribution Explained with Examples
Have you ever wondered how to predict the number of successes in a series of independent trials? Or perhaps you’ve been curious about the probability of achieving a specific outcome in a sequence of yes-or-no questions. If so, we are essentially talking about the binomial distribution. It’s important for data scientists to understand this concept as binomials are used often in business applications. The binomial distribution is a discrete probability distribution that applies to binomial experiments (experiments with binary outcomes). It’s the number of successes in a specific number of trials. Sighting a simple yet real-life example, the binomial distribution may be imagined as the probability distribution of a number …
How to Choose Right Statistical Tests: Examples
Whether you are a researcher, data analyst, or data scientist, selecting the appropriate statistical test is crucial for accurate and reliable data analysis. With numerous tests available, it can be overwhelming to determine the right one for your research question and data type. In this blog, the aim is to simplify the process, providing you with a systematic approach to choosing the right statistical test. This blog will be particularly helpful for those who are new to statistical analysis and are unsure which test to use for their specific needs. You will learn a clear and structured method for selecting the appropriate statistical test. By considering factors such as data …
One-way ANOVA test: Concepts, Formula & Examples
The one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test is a statistical procedure commonly used to compare the means values on a specific variable between three or more groups. The significance of the difference between the means of two samples can be judged through either t-test or z-test depending upon different criteria, but it becomes tricky when there is a need to simultaneously evaluate the significance of the difference amongst three or more sample means. This is where one-way ANOVA test comes to rescue. The ANOVA technique enables us to perform this simultaneous test and as such is considered to be an important tool of analysis. As data scientists, it is of …
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