Sampling distributions & estimation of parameters
Chapter 17, “Inferential Statistics”
Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2012). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice (Laureate Education, Inc., custom ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Prepare a Study Sheet
Sampling distributions & estimation of parameters
Study sheet
| What is statistics It refers to a numerical measurement describing some In nursing, researchers are a therefore required to understand how to use these statistics to carry out their various analysis. Understanding various situations and phenomenon is very critical and part of their duties hence needs to understand how to use them. Sampling distribution and estimation of parameters is therefore essential for the nurses that conduct researches (Polit & Beck, 2012). | Definition of a parameter It refers to a numerical measurements describing some characteristics of a population (Polit & Beck, 2012). |
| Example of statistics sample mean ( _X ) sample proportion ( ^p ) sample variance ( s2) sample std deviation (s) | Examples of parameters pop. mean (µ) pop. proportion (p ) pop. variance (δ2) pop. std deviation (δ) |
| Characteristics of a sample Sampling distribution sampling distribution is also known as finite-sample distribution It is probability distribution of a certain statistics that is based on random sample | Methods of estimating parameters There are various methods that researchers’ use to estimate the parameters. In estimating parameters researchers are required to know the sampling theory and the statistical inferences Methods include Least squares methods presented under the forms of simple linear regression, multiple linear model, and non-linear models. These are also categorized or known as method of Gauss-Newton. Least square method use iterative processes requiring adoption of initial values. |
| Their importance They help to simplify the routes to statistics inference Allow analytical considerations to be based on the sampling distribution of a given statistics as opposed to joint probability distribution of the entire individual sample values (Polit & Beck, 2012). | |
| Calculation of sampling distribution The key points/ideas to note include: One is require to obtain all the random sample of size from the population of study Then determine the value of the statistic for every sample Lastly, is to obtain the expected value and variability of the statistics. | |
| Example Distribution sample mean Consider the Population (1, 2, 3), N = 3 population mean = 2, and pop. variance = 2/3 | |
| Conclusion Researchers should have skills on how to use these statistical methods to s enhance their studies. | |
Reference
Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2012). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice (Laureate Education, Inc., custom ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.