What Is Statistics: Crash Course Statistics #1

Welcome to Crash Course Statistics! In this series we're going to take a look at the important role statistics play in our everyday lives, because statistics are everywhere! Statistics help us better understand the world and make decisions from what you'll wear tomorrow to government policy. But in the wrong hands, statistics can be used to misinform. So we're going to try to do two things in this series. Help show you the usefulness of statistics, but also help you become a more informed consumer of statistics. From probabilities, paradoxes, and p-values there's a lot to cover in this series, and there will be some math, but we promise only when it's most important. But first, we should talk about what statistics actually are, and what we can do with them. Statistics are tools, but they can't give us all the answers.
Episode Notes:
On Tea Tasting:
"The Lady Tasting Tea" by David Salsburg
On Chain Saw Injuries:
www.cdc.gov/di...
www.ncbi.nlm.n...
www.hindawi.co...
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[@dennyzavada407]

A physicist, a chemist, and a statistician go hunting. They come upon a deer and the physicist takes a shot that misses 5 feet to the left. The chemist then takes a shot that misses 5 feet to the right. The statistician declares, "We got him!!"

[@jeremys9522]

The statistician get some food out of his bag because he knew the stats before coming and understand that a medium value is worthless on it's own, he compares it to the median and the quartile at the very least.

[@GS42SCHOPAWE]

Dennis Zavada I don’t get it

[@Chierushi]

I get the joke. But I don't like it. Also, how did the physicist miss? She couldn't calculate the trajectory of the bullet? These individuals are drunk

[@Dayvit78]

What's the reason for there being a physicist or chemist? They're basically not part of the joke. Bad Joke, Bad.

[@innocentoctave]

The statistician says, "two data points is too small a sample to have predictive value. Also, you guys are really bad at this."

[@erinthehermit]

"Statistics: when you don't know for sure, but doing nothing isn't an option" is going on a poster on my classroom wall, like, ASAP.

[@gorillaguerillaDK]

Put these ones up next to it.... 😉😜 "Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital" "Don't use statistics as a drunken man uses lamp posts - for support rather than for illumination"

[@jeremys9522]

I would add, make the stats, but remember that life is not contained in it, so in the end, after taking a look a t the stats, throw them to trash and let your now more informed on the world head decide.

[@y.desiree2030]

1:07 - History of stat 2:31 - Definition of stat 4:22 - Proxy 5:20 - Two main types of stat 5:23 - Descriptive stat 7:33 - Inferential stat 9:53 - If stat were a superhero 10:01 - Importance of stat 10:33 - Continuation of importance of stat 10:17 - Comparison between descriptive and inferential stat 10:43 - Continuation of definition of stat

[@jaiminbariya8830]

Thank you for timeline

[@karisa7121]

I just finished a summer statistics course. I thought it was going to be really difficult, but it was actually fun. I completely fell in love with statistics this summer. Don't let everyone get into your head about how much it sucks; it isn't true!

[@ginnylily7]

i swear you guys know my class schedule

[@frankietimmz2582]

I’m halfway through my first year of a psychology and I can see this being endlessly helpful

[@pw7225]

A basic understanding of statistics is soooooo important. Most decisions in politics are made based on statistics. Or rather: should be made based on statistics. Please more of this! What a great course!

[@CallOSaulTitan]

I'm majoring in physical therapy, but I like learning other things other than ana-physio because I would like to invest on the stock market one day, and be versatile compared to my colleagues, and statistics looks fun!

[@naturallaw1733]

yes more Logical based decisions instead of the Ideological based ones of today. 😕

[@opinionofmine3238]

But should it really? Cause in theory, basing it in statistics is a great idea, but in pratice the actual studies are riddled with so many holes on a fundamental level that basing it on statistics often becomes a glorified way to throw dice at the table make a decision based on the roll

[@jeremys9522]

communists had for utopia to have a society basing his decision on pure logic. The goulags where a result as well as no hill or disabled in the cities (they were kept away from the other in dedicated houses in the middle of nowhere) The majority of the big decisions cannot be based on statistic (go look up game theory, you can start by the prisoner's dilemma), most other should not.

[@ThinkLikeaPhysicist]

Couldn't agree more! I'm trying to give lessons on how probability and statistics are used to draw conclusions from data and to make decisions (from a physicist's perspective). We have lectures on Bayes' Theorem, p-values, gaussian errors, lots of stuff.

[@ganaraminukshuk0]

1. I spent more time reading the little blurbs on the intro sequence than I'd like to admit. 2. There's literally a waffle-related subreddit.

[@vampyricon7026]

they made r/wafflemakers because of this

[@angeldude101]

You don't start every new crash course by reading every blurb?

[@yomuin5389]

One does not simply not pause to read all the blurbs.

[@loujay60606]

Finally Crash Course has Statistics series !!!! I have been waiting forever!!!

[@luissberenguer_]

Me too!!!

[@Giftedmike359]

Statistically 50% of forever

[@loujay60606]

High five!!! I am going to eat junk food tonight to celebrate the inauguration of this series ~

[@aboveandbeyondeducation9441]

Was sort of bound to happen sooner or later...

[@loujay60606]

Above and Beyond Education: I knew that since Crash Course Computer Science came out !

[@phillipcook4028]

Hey! I love CrashCourse's content, but my wife is hard of hearing and really benefits from having captions. Is there a chance that you could upload the script to the video? We would both really appreciate it, and it would make a huge difference for the hard of hearing audience.

[@James-op6ls]

Here here. Just a heads up, the video is out of sync with the audio (in case you were finding it extra hard)

[@Thomasfrank]

Finally!

[@MissingVoidTV]

So glad you're covering this! Got a whole module dedicated to this at uni every year! Thank you!

[@davidsweeney111]

Fantastic I love this video, I'm so looking forward to this statistics series!!!

[@goodstuff4430]

said no one ever.

[@jadevincendeau5377]

I agree with you my friends

[@madfish3130]

There are two types of people in the world: Someone who searched this topic driven by school related things Someone who really wanted to learn statistics

[@RedHair651]

Omg The Mongol as the logo for "exceptional waffles" refers to the inside joke "Mongolians are the exception"... This is genius.

[@guesswhoami4723]

“One death is a tragedy 1000 deaths is just a statistic” That Russian guy during WW2

[@vdhklove7638]

Guess Who Am I how lamfo about American guy in Iraq 100,000 is just a number

[@EuropeanQoheleth]

Well Stalin was actually Georgian but yeah.

[@guesswhoami4723]

Ethan Arias What do you mean?

[@guesswhoami4723]

Complaining Qoheleth You get the point...

[@chuckberry6650]

Take a smartie-vite every time she says statistics.

[@sakshamrewari]

BOX PLOTS, NORMAL DISTRIBUTION AND A PIE CHART OVER A HUGE GRID AS BACKGROUND DECORATION! You're doing it right.

[@horsecrazy2266]

“just like our eyes and ears filter out unnecessary stimuli just to give us the best, most useful stuff” me, with adhd: o_O

[@OlleLindestad]

The lady with the tea wasn't just any lady! She was Dr Muriel Bristol, a scientist herself (she studied algae at the same research station where Fisher studied his plants).

[@bpaganpagan233]

I.. HAVE.. NO .. WORDS... FINALLY A WOMAN . AND FINALLY A PERSON WHO I CAN KEEP UP. NORMAL PASED PEOPLE LIKE ME . AMEN

[@AnnieCushing]

Why would anyone thumb these videos down? They're fantastic and make statistics interesting and easy to understand.

[@melisasuner6892]

Sadly this is to late for my exams

[@hh-zg3pt]

*too

[@SanktaLo]

Same! I took stats last semester and this would have been a huge help. I sent it to my old prof, though, so he could utilize it this semester

[@RottingDragon]

*too

[@dattebenforcer]

It's not like you'll really use statistics in the kitchen anyways.

[@naturallaw1733]

where's Anna when you need Her? 😋

[@Mrchair-bk5ns]

I just started my statistics module. This is insane.

[@ChiefTomcat]

Statistically it's not that insane.

[@Mrchair-bk5ns]

Yeah true.

[@Max-po9gd]

What are the chances

[@juicenot2481]

You mean "this are insane" not "this is insane" because data are, not data is. Depending on what you believe the definition of "is" are?!.

[@ArkaidDeims]

Take a shot every time you hear "statistics"

[@blade7506]

Gg

[@bomfim8762]

You mean vaccines, right?

[@lindseydowney445]

I'm so happy this came out when it did. I have to take statistics this semester and I've already started to fall behind. I'm so excited for the course! thank you!!

[@upjiminsass9565]

I’m sorry to say but I literally came here because of timothee and his statistics song

[@JorgeGarcia-hm8it]

I have just discovered this series and i can only say thank you. I started learning statistics last year and these videos give me a much wider view of this subject, which i really appreciate

[@fakjbf3129]

My main hope is that there's at least one episode on Bayseian statistics

[@saetainlatin]

amen to that

[@GLPentAxel]

They would have to at least cover Bayes' theorem

[@fran6b]

Veritasium have a great video on that topic.

[@kyoung21b]

Fakjbf - Bummer though, it sounded like the reverend isn’t invited (ergo the comment about dedication to Fisher’s branch)

[@QemeH]

Because it's kinda on topic - here are my favourite statistics (both are true, even if most people need a moment to understand that fact): 1) The vatican has two popes per square kilometer (or four, if you're counting living ex-popes). 2) Most people have more legs than the average person.

[@MarioFanGamer659]

1. The Vatican is only half a square kilometre large (actually around 0.44 km², thus making it around 2,2727... popes/km², though for this fact, it's close enough). 2. If people haven't got two legs, they're more likely to have less legs than more (not to mention it's easier to lose than getting one) which shifts the averidge from 2 a bit towards to 1.

[@Cole9559]

I love these crash course series. sometimes I feel just a general overview of knowledge would suffice for my application and this is a great way to get it!

[@danielmcmaster3053]

I was very curious if she guessed the correct tea cups

[@basedgrl]

i love my mrs.lawton she’s my favorite teacher ever

[@therabbithat]

There are people who eat out five times a week?

[@paularodriguez726]

My mayor is statistics and i'm so freaking excited ❤❤❤❤❤

[@wajihbleik436]

Paula Rodriguez Sadiq khan is the major of London

[@duphmongus]

Top meme

[@TheOnyomiMaster]

Technically she's not wrong, major and mayor have the same Latin root

[@Interabderian]

Genetic fallacy. Technically, you're both wrong.

[@1291minesh]

Good Luck.

[@BlueyMcPhluey]

I just noticed the box and whisker plot in the background! great set design, really looking forward to this series progressing

[@stevenrichardson1408]

Love this video. I'm a psychology major, but I freaking LOVE statistics, probability, and all things mathematics related.

[@camiloiribarren1450]

I could’ve used this lesson about 4 yrs ago but I’ll definitely be more appreciative of stats

[@BangMaster96]

Statistics = Mathematical way of making a guess.

[@theBenson5]

One semester too late. :( Anyway, I am still so glad that this series is finally being made!

[@azertyQ]

Please cover Simpson's Paradox. It invalidates a lot of just-so "correlations"

[@waltervalladares1026]

i want a burger now

[@dlseller]

Can't wait for the episode on Hypothesis Tests!

[@GeFlixes]

I've read Nassim Taleb's "Dark Swan" recently and found it interesting - it's a book about uncertainty and the psychology of knowlege and decision making. It's central selling point: Statisticians (and especially economists) use Gaussian statistics (the bell curve, standard deviation) too much as most social questions are scalable: Black Swans, huge deviations form the norm that we can't predict have big impacts (think 9/11, 2008 financial crisis. The 1980 banking crisis destroyed the whole of the banks' profits IN HISTORY in a single incident). Thought experiment: a.) The average person is 6'5" tall. What's the most likely distribution of hight? Answer: Around 6'5", with extremes more and more unlikely, as hight isn't scalable. b.) Two people in the room have a total net income of 1 Mio USD. What's the most likely distribution of wealth? Answer: 50k USD and 950k USD. Wealth doesn't distribute around a mean, the net worth of the 2000 billionaires is 7,5 Trillion. 8 of them are richer than the world's poorest half. Wealth is scalable. The proposed problem with most social sciences: their models often confuse b.) with a.).

[@TooHonest4_You]

Future Nursing student here. This is incredibly helpful

[@naraferalina2308]

"When you don't know for sure, but doing nothing isn't an option."

[@tiffanymarie2219]

Thank goodness Crash Course has a statistics playlist. This channel is the reason I passed Biology in the 12th grade lol

[@timothyc2346]

This is simply amazing. I’m just a high school student who was interested in what Statistics really was and you have done an astonishing job teaching us about it. I am looking forward to the rest of the series, and be sure to like all her videos!

[@joseafalvel]

How convinient, eventhough I took statistics classes in college that was a while ago then I decided to learn statistics again by myself in order to apply for a new and better job and suddenly cha cha a very cool introductory video from one of my favorite youtube chanels, could it be some kind of signal ?? perhaps statistics will help me to find it out. Thank you so much CrashCourse

[@kanyekubrick5391]

man this chanel is gold

[@jeralyncabaluna5819]

This is right on time. We're studying statistics at school right now.

[@Graanvlok]

Wow, I should have become a waffle maker.

[@rkpetry]

...what's the probability that this course will answer the questions we've come-with: very low, considering the whole purpose of P/S is to deprecate (reduce-talking-about) what it 'calculates' as less significant (the 'matched filtering' entropy efficiency advantage)... so P/S (meta-speaking) guarantees exacerbating small problems as huge chaotic terrors...

[@alexandria1311]

I want that room setup!

[@Khatastros]

FINALLY!!!

[@l60449]

Thank you for thsi awesome intorduction! I'm looking forward to this series!

[@ShirinRose]

I'm really excited for this series. For years I've hated statistics because I had a really boring stats lecturer at uni and I barely learnt anything, yet I know that statistics is really important. Hopefully I can learn so much more from Adriene!

[@tamaramolina9962]

The description of inferential statistics is phenomenal- perfect for my 9th grade bio students. Thank you!

[@CaesarJay99]

Kudos for the bell curve bookshelf in the backround. Nice Easter egg ;-)

[@aman27asad]

I LOVE CRASH COURSE

[@leugim199]

Just in time, as I am trying to decide whether I should pursue a career in Data Science which, to my knowledge, is kind of like the next step in statistics :)

[@hilmanhanivan3847]

statistics student UNITE!

[@MyXAHOB]

Mrs. Lawton Mrs. Lawton Mrs. Lawton Mrs. Lawton

[@keishaanderson214]

Thank you made me learned something

[@PapaTaurean]

I am taking Statistics right now in College... again... lol But I love it. It covers so much in life.

[@TheJinx1441]

You lucky person. Mine DEFINITELY doesn't. I wish math was more engaging...

[@melophile_69]

Same here! I hope we both do well!

[@beangirl1389]

My college didn't have a statistics major, but I took every class offered at the time! Can't wait for this series

[@dtremenak]

The background set design for this series is *really* fantastic...props to whoever is responsible for that. Adriene is doing a great job presenting, too.

[@thomascampbell350]

Timothee chalamet has entered the chat

[@smooofer]

YAY I LOVE STATS!!

[@SpartaSpartan117]

Yessssssssss!!

[@XanderGouws]

The set is insane with the normal distribution curve shelf, box and whisker plots on the left, and pie chart on the right.

[@fossilfighters101]

Yes it's beautiful!

[@the_sleepdeprived_man2746]

There's also a minecraft creeper head there

[@nateweinand4209]

This was actually really interesting! Looking forward to more!

[@OmarsHafsa]

I have an MBA and did my minor in International Marketing and let me tell you: Marketers do love statistics. SO MUCH statistics and coin tossing. It's actually very interesting and I apply it every day still. It changes your way of thinking. I'm constantly thinking in questions, hypothesis, and possibilities. Also the correlation and causation between them. It's a little bit exausting sometimes though. Am I the only one??

[@chrisspencer6502]

Olympias I'm yet to meet a stats master or an MBA who I'd trust with $1000 at a rouelette table if it was my money.

[@notjohnmacain9361]

Same here, Mario Party got me falling in love with statistics, currently looking to be great at the art. Completly changed how I see the world

[@lovelyicy6395]

I'm thinking of majoring in marketing with a minor in graphic design or international business but idk if marketing is a good major to pursue? While I be financially stable with a marketing career?? Anyone have any tips or experiences they care to share?

[@lokeshyadav819]

@@lovelyicy6395 it's upto you what you love doing...

[@feynstein1004]

Hmm..........statistics help us make decisions..............decisions require making a choice...............economics is the study of choices................Crash Course Economics sequel confirmed!!!

[@feynstein1004]

+freddo 1614 Lol why do you think that?

[@feynstein1004]

+freddo 1614 Hmm I guess that is true. I don't know much about the Austrian school of economics, which just proves your point. But it's still better than nothing and has been immensely helpful to me. So I don't think it's that bad.

[@iwanabana]

one of the best written, best presented introduction videos ever. It made me curious to learn about all of this!

[@SandersKaufman]

All right! Finally, some Crash Course Math courses. I want: 1. College Math 2. College Algebra 3. Pre-Calc (Geometry/Trig), 4. Calculus I, II & III 5. Linear Algebra 6. Topology 7. Differential Equations I gotta LOTTA learning to do.

[@KarateExplodo]

This is an unbelievably important subject to cover, and I am so glad to see Crash Course covering it! Thank you so much for enriching our community!

[@karlhenke91]

Statistics, like astronomy, is something I have a pretty good handle on. I'm excited for this because, like the Astronomy series, I think you're about to teach me quite a few things I don't know I don't know.

[@anamosamapper7521]

Do some people not intuitively use statistics and information like this?

[@edwardgeist2918]

I like the box-and-whisker plots on the wall.

[@delphinelumen678]

I am so excited for this series! I am taking a stats course this term and I feel like such a potato :(

[@skaermf]

This is just exactly how I want to be taught this!

[@Lina-sh4tw]

dude i'm enrolled in statistics and the pre-rec says I had to have had a 3.0 or took calculus in high school this is finna destroy me when i get to class

[@microbuilder]

Really hope you touch on the statistics of polling numbers that you always hear about on the news and how they can be so easily skewed...'80% of people bla bla bla', then in the fine print its actually 80% of the 1000 people they asked.

[@alexturlais8558]

microbuilder Thats how polling works. you cant survey an entire country, so you need to choose a sample size representative of the entire population.

[@varana]

And the point of statistics is to find a sample of 1000 people that can be representative for the whole, or to determine how to extrapolate from a given sample so you can make statements about the whole. "They interviewed only 1000 people" - and because of statistics, that can be enough. And in serious polls, it usually is. (That news reports equally usually just skip talking about error margins, is another problem.)

[@microbuilder]

Yes I know, my point was more about how easily those percentages can be skewed to say whatever you want them to say, just by selectively picking who gets polled. It is far too easy to find 1000 people of similar mindset to answer a question the same, in a country of hundreds of millions...1000 people isnt nearly enough.

[@ncsquirll]

actually 1000 people is enough. Assuming that you conduct the sampling ethically. The total population size is not nearly as relevant to the accuracy of polling as the sample size and selection effects.

[@drpsychonaut]

Anthropology next!

[@bietola75]

And of course my statistics exam is in five days... you're too late crash course! ... Who am I kidding, I will still watch these...

[@funnytoystories1758]

I am learning statistics and you have made it too simple. Thank you.

[@ryandavies964]

What are english. What is statistics. These are both wrong. What ARE statistics. NOT IS.

[@varana]

Physics are fun!

[@arpitanandi7888]

Thanks mam. Your lecture is amazing! I loved it😍😊

[@senju31]

I just read three books on statistics and this video just reinforced everything with these delightful animations. God bless you guys.

[@srty8886]

great video

[@eknitscars]

Ok can I just say that the woman said "what IS statistics" instead of "what ARE statistics". Maybe I'm wrong but I think that is incorrect 😂😂

[@atharvas3244]

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

[@CharissaPianos]

Statistics yup statistics yup

[@amyclarke6176]

Hey I’m taking a stats course but because of my school planning I’ve not been able to have a lesson in 3 months This is so going to help me so much Thank you

[@jacobhellman9181]

Amy Clarke why aren't you able to have a lesson in three months?

[@amyclarke6176]

Jakob Hellmann teacher of sick , trips for other classes etc

[@sondraorianjarvis278]

Thank you!!! Perfect timing for my MBA program.

[@hodanmursal1797]

I did my bachelor in international business and I applied to a master in statistics...thinking I’ve never had it but I knew all these terms from my bachelor 🤦‍♀️

[@lokeshyadav819]

Hey I am planning to pursue MBA in IB can u give me any tips ? Which will help me during my MBA... (From INDIA)

[@TaBz9o0]

FINALLY!!!!

[@robertchitty3603]

Excited to see Adrienne Hill back on Crash Course 😃

[@jogz123]

Might be asking a silly question: What is meant by statistics-plural [5m:19s] . Thanks