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Statistics are pieces of data that are gathered and analyzed to provide information that can have an impact on our lives. On the following pages is a historical story showing how the use of statistics can make a difference.
Thousands of people in the cities were dying of a mysterious disease called cholera. There was no known cure and no one knew what caused the disease. What was especially frustrating was that it was unclear why people contracted the disease while others did not.
Doctor John Snow, a London doctor, decided to place dots on a map of London to represent each cholera death.
He found out that there was a connection between the cholera deaths and one water pump on Broad Street in London. It became very clear that something was contaminating the water at this pump and killing thousands of people. Dr. Snows use of statistics led to changes that saved thousands of lives.
Generalizations
Inductive argument move from things known to things unknown. Sample- item or items we know something about. Target class- group of items to which we wish to extend our knowledge.
Types of Generalizations
Statistical Generalization Analogical Generalization Causal Generalization
Statistical Generalization
Draws a conclusion about a portion of the target group. 1/5 of adult Americans are obese.
More teenagers die of accidents related to alcohol than do adults. Most jungles are hot.
Analogical Generalization
Draws a conclusion about a target item on the basis of a shared similarity or similarities.
This pair of shoes, like these shoes, is made of leather, has the same style and same maker. Thus, like these shoes, this new pair of shoes will be comfortable.
Causal Generalization
Draws a conclusion about an observed relationship, i.e., that this relationship will always occur, on the basis of previously observed instances of the relationship.
Example