Where You’ve Been 1 Where You’re Going In Chapter 1, you will be introduced to the basic concepts and goals of statistics. For instance, statistics were used to construct the figures below, which show the fastest-growing U.S. states from 2019 to 2020 by the percent increase in population and by the numerical increase in population, along with the regions where these states are located. For the 2010 Census, the Census Bureau sent short forms to every household. Short forms ask all members of every household such things as their gender, age, race, and ethnicity. Previously, a long form, which covered additional topics, was sent to about 17% of the population. But for the first time since 1940, the long form was replaced by the American Community Survey, which surveys more than 3.5 million households a year throughout the decade. These households form a sample. In this course, you will learn how the data collected from a sample are used to infer characteristics about the entire population. You are already familiar with many of the practices of statistics, such as taking surveys, collecting data, and describing populations. What you may not know is that collecting accurate statistical data is often difficult and costly. Consider, for instance, the monumental task of counting and describing the entire population of the United States. If you were in charge of such a census, how would you do it? How would you ensure that your results are accurate? These and many more concerns are the responsibility of the United States Census Bureau, which conducts the census every decade. Increase (percent) 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 3.0 2.5 Fastest-Growing States (2019 to 2020) Idaho Arizona Nevada Utah Texas Regions of the 25 Fastest-Growing States West 40% Northeast 8% South 40% Midwest 12% Increase (in thousands) 50 100 150 200 300 250 350 400 States with Greatest Numerical Population Increases (2019 to 2020) Texas Florida Arizona North Carolina Georgia Regions of the 25 States with Greatest Numerical Population Increases West 36% South 44% Midwest 20%
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