8.5 Confidence Interval (Place of Birth)

3 min readjune 27, 2024

Confidence intervals for population proportions help us estimate the in a population based on sample data. We use a formula that considers the , , and to create a range of plausible values.

The width of the interval is affected by sample size and . Larger samples lead to narrower intervals, while higher confidence levels result in wider intervals. This balance between precision and certainty is crucial in .

Confidence Intervals for Population Proportions

Confidence intervals for population proportions

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  • Calculate the for a using the formula p^±zp^(1p^)[n](https://www.fiveableKeyTerm:N)\hat{p} \pm z^* \sqrt{\frac{\hat{p}(1-\hat{p})}{[n](https://www.fiveableKeyTerm:N)}}
    • p^\hat{p} represents the sample proportion obtained from the data ()
    • zz^* is the critical value from the , determined by the desired confidence level
      • 1.645 for a 90% confidence level
      • 1.96 for a 95% confidence level (most commonly used)
      • 2.576 for a 99% confidence level
    • nn denotes the sample size, which influences the width of the interval
  • Construct the confidence interval by substituting the sample proportion, critical value, and sample size into the formula
    • Perform the calculations to determine the lower and upper bounds of the interval
    • Express the confidence interval in the form (, )

Interpretation of birthplace confidence intervals

  • A confidence interval for place of birth provides a range of plausible values for the true proportion of individuals in the population born in a specific location
    • Interpret the interval as the range within which we are confident the true population proportion lies
    • For instance, a 95% confidence interval of (0.23, 0.29) for the proportion of people born in suggests we are 95% confident that between 23% and 29% of the population was born in NYC
  • The confidence level represents the long-run probability that the constructed intervals will contain the true population proportion
    • A 95% confidence level implies that if we repeatedly sample and construct intervals, approximately 95% of those intervals would capture the true proportion
    • Higher confidence levels (99%) provide greater assurance but result in wider intervals, while lower levels (90%) yield narrower intervals but less certainty
  • Confidence intervals are a key tool in statistical inference, allowing us to make informed conclusions about population parameters based on sample data

Sample size vs confidence level effects

  • The width of a confidence interval is influenced by both the sample size (nn) and the chosen confidence level
  • Sample size:
    1. Larger sample sizes lead to narrower confidence intervals
    2. As nn increases, the () decreases, resulting in a smaller and a more precise interval
    3. Intuitively, more data provides a better estimate of the population proportion, allowing for a tighter interval
  • Confidence level:
    1. Higher confidence levels (99%) produce wider intervals compared to lower levels (90%)
    2. Increasing the confidence level requires a larger critical value (zz^*), expanding the margin of error and the interval width
    3. The trade-off: higher confidence comes at the cost of less precision, while lower confidence allows for narrower intervals but more uncertainty
  • Consider the interplay between sample size and confidence level when determining the appropriate balance for a given study
    • Aim for a sufficiently large sample size to achieve a desired level of precision
    • Choose a confidence level that aligns with the required certainty and the implications of the research question
  • , which is the difference between the sample statistic and the true population parameter, decreases as sample size increases

Statistical Concepts in Confidence Intervals

  • Confidence intervals are based on the assumption of a for the sampling distribution of the sample proportion
  • and confidence intervals are complementary approaches in statistical inference
  • The width of the confidence interval reflects the precision of the estimate and is influenced by factors such as sample size and variability in the data

Key Terms to Review (23)

$ ext{hat}{p}$: $ ext{hat}{p}$ is the sample proportion, which is an estimate of the true population proportion, $p$. It represents the proportion of successes in a sample drawn from a population and is used to make inferences about the population parameter $p$.
$\sqrt{\frac{\hat{p}(1-\hat{p})}{n}}$: $\sqrt{\frac{\hat{p}(1-\hat{p})}{n}}$ is a formula used to calculate the standard error of a sample proportion, which is a crucial component in constructing confidence intervals for population proportions. This formula provides a measure of the variability or uncertainty associated with the sample proportion estimate, allowing researchers to quantify the reliability and precision of their findings.
Birthplace Confidence Intervals: Birthplace confidence intervals are a statistical tool used to estimate the population proportion of individuals born in a specific geographic location, such as a country or state, within a given margin of error. These intervals provide a range of plausible values for the true proportion based on a sample of data.
Confidence Interval: A confidence interval is a range of values that is likely to contain an unknown population parameter, such as a mean or proportion, with a specified level of confidence. It provides a way to quantify the uncertainty associated with estimating a population characteristic from a sample.
Confidence Level: The confidence level is a statistical measure that represents the probability or likelihood that a population parameter, such as a mean or proportion, falls within a specified range or interval. It is a crucial concept in statistical inference and is used to quantify the reliability and precision of estimates derived from sample data.
Critical Value: The critical value is a threshold value in statistical analysis that determines whether to reject or fail to reject a null hypothesis. It is a key concept in hypothesis testing and is used to establish the boundaries for statistical significance in various statistical tests.
Hypothesis Testing: Hypothesis testing is a statistical method used to determine whether a particular claim or hypothesis about a population parameter is likely to be true or false based on sample data. It involves formulating null and alternative hypotheses, collecting and analyzing sample data, and making a decision to either reject or fail to reject the null hypothesis.
Lower Bound: The lower bound refers to the smallest possible value or limit that a variable or parameter can take within a given context. It represents the minimum or the lower limit of a range or distribution, and is an important concept in various statistical and mathematical analyses.
Margin of Error: The margin of error is a statistic that expresses the amount of random sampling error in a survey's results. It gives a range of values that is likely to contain the true population parameter, with a certain level of confidence. This term is crucial in understanding the reliability and precision of statistical inferences made from sample data.
N: N is a variable that represents the total number of observations or data points in a given population or sample. It is a fundamental concept in various statistical distributions and theorems, including the Hypergeometric Distribution, Poisson Distribution, and the Central Limit Theorem for Sample Means.
New York City: New York City is the largest city in the United States, known for its vibrant culture, diverse population, and iconic landmarks. It is a global center of finance, media, art, and commerce, attracting millions of visitors and residents alike. In the context of 8.5 Confidence Interval (Place of Birth), New York City serves as an important reference point for understanding population statistics and demographic trends.
Normal Distribution: The normal distribution, also known as the Gaussian distribution, is a continuous probability distribution that is symmetrical and bell-shaped. It is a fundamental concept in statistics and probability theory, with widespread applications across various fields, including the topics covered in this course.
Point Estimate: A point estimate is a single numerical value that is used to estimate an unknown population parameter, such as the population mean or proportion. It serves as a representative value for the parameter of interest based on a sample drawn from the population.
Population Proportion: The population proportion is the ratio or percentage of a particular characteristic or attribute present in a given population. It is a fundamental concept in statistics that is used to make inferences about the characteristics of a larger population based on a sample drawn from that population.
Sample Proportion: The sample proportion is a statistical measure that represents the proportion or percentage of a characteristic of interest within a sample drawn from a population. It is a crucial concept in understanding population inferences, confidence intervals, and hypothesis testing.
Sample Size: Sample size refers to the number of observations or data points collected in a study or experiment. It is a crucial aspect of research design and data analysis, as it directly impacts the reliability, precision, and statistical power of the conclusions drawn from the data.
Sampling Error: Sampling error is the difference between a sample statistic and the corresponding population parameter that arises because the sample may not perfectly represent the entire population. It is the uncertainty that exists when making inferences about a population based on a sample drawn from that population.
Standard Error: The standard error is a measure of the variability or dispersion of a sample statistic, such as the sample mean. It represents the standard deviation of the sampling distribution of a statistic, providing an estimate of how much the statistic is likely to vary from one sample to another drawn from the same population.
Standard Normal Distribution: The standard normal distribution is a special case of the normal distribution where the mean is 0 and the standard deviation is 1. It is a bell-shaped, symmetrical curve that is widely used in statistical analysis and inference.
Statistical Inference: Statistical inference is the process of using data analysis to infer properties about a population from a sample. It involves drawing conclusions and making predictions based on the information gathered from a subset of a larger group or dataset.
True Proportion: The true proportion is the actual or underlying proportion of a characteristic in a population, which is often unknown and needs to be estimated from a sample. It is a crucial concept in the context of confidence intervals, as it represents the parameter of interest that the interval aims to capture.
Upper Bound: The upper bound is the maximum value or limit of a range or distribution. It represents the highest possible value that a variable or statistic can take on within a given context or scenario.
Z*: z* is the critical value from the standard normal distribution that corresponds to a given confidence level. It is used in the calculation of confidence intervals for population parameters, such as the population proportion and the population mean.
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