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Demographic data for statistical analysis

Data describing characteristics of a population, such as age, location, income and education, so that different groups can be compared and analysed statistically.

Part of: VCE Applied Computing - U1O1 - Data analysis — Module 11

Understanding Demographic data for statistical analysis in VCE Data Analysis

What it does: The formula averages the income column (C) only for rows where the location column (B) is Geelong. Repeating it for another location lets you compare the two groups. Demographic data describes characteristics of a population, such as age, location, income and education. Favourite colour is an opinion or preference, not a demographic characteristic. Sorting people into ranges such as 18-34 is grouping by age. Each age group can then be counted and compared. Statistics summarise a whole group, such as an average or percentage. One person's value cannot represent a population. Age forms the groups, which is demographic data. The test scores are the values being compared between those groups.

Common mistakes: The loop variable and the list are swapped. It should be FOR EACH a IN ages so each age in the age data is added to the total.}},. People under 25 belong in the young age group, so the young counter must increase. It should be young ← young+1.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 3–14) and word search (Modules 3–24).

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Learning
Duo
Which of these is an example of demographic data?
A person's favourite colour typed into a survey as a commentA person's age group, such as 25-34
Matches
Demographic data = a list of each person's favourite songs
↓
Favourite songs are personal preferences, not demographic characteristics. Demographic data covers age, location, income and education.
Applying
Meanings
Term
demographic data
Meaning
Data describing characteristics of a population, such as age, location, income and education, so that different groups can be compared and analysed statistically.
Practice
=COUNTIF(B2:B101,"18-24")
Testing
Gaps
=(B2:B100,"18-24")
Check Answer
Spots
2total ← 0
3FOR EACH ages IN a

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Quick Questions

1. Which of these is an example of demographic data?
A. A person's age group, such as 25-34 ✓
B. A person's favourite colour typed into a survey as a comment
Demographic data describes characteristics of a population, such as age, location, income and education. Favourite colour is an opinion or preference, not a demographic characteristic.
2. Why do analysts collect demographic data?
A. So every person's identity can be made public
B. So different groups can be compared and analysed statistically ✓
The purpose of demographic data is to compare groups, for example by age or location. It is not about making identities public.
3. A table shows the number of people in each age group: 0-17, 18-34, 35-64 and 65+. Which sub-theme is this?
A. Age groups ✓
B. Location and income
Sorting people into ranges such as 18-34 is grouping by age. Each age group can then be counted and compared.
4. Which pair of fields would let you compare average income between regional Victoria and Melbourne?
A. Age and favourite food
B. Location and income ✓
Comparing income across places needs a location field and an income field. Favourite food does not describe the population's demographics.
5. True or false: Demographic data can be used to compare the percentage of people with a university degree in two different suburbs.
A. True ✓
B. False
Education is a demographic characteristic. Calculating a percentage for each suburb lets you compare the groups statistically.

Match the Pairs

demographic data → Data describing characteristics of a population, such as age, location, income and education, so groups can be compared
age_group = "18-24" → A demographic field that places each person in an age band so age groups can be compared
Comparing average income between two locations uses demographic data on location and income → AVERAGEIF(B2:B100,"Geelong",C2:C100)
Counting how many people fall into one age group is a statistical way to compare groups → COUNTIF(A2:A100,"25-34")
Demographic data = a list of each person's favourite songs → Favourite songs are personal preferences, not demographic characteristics. Demographic data covers age, location, income and education.
Comparing two age groups using one person's income from each → One person from each group is not a statistical comparison. Groups should be compared using totals, averages or percentages across all members.

Key Term

demographic data
Data describing characteristics of a population, such as age, location, income and education, so that different groups can be compared and analysed statistically.

Fill in the Blanks

1. =COUNTIF(B2:B100,"18-24")
Hint: Type the function that counts how many people in the age column meet a condition.
2. =AVERAGEIF(C2:C100,"Geelong",D2:D100)
Hint: Type the function that averages incomes only for rows matching one location.
3. =COUNTIF(D2:D100,">50000")
Hint: Type the comparison operator meaning greater than, to count people above an income.
4. =COUNTIF(B2:B100,"18-24")/COUNTA(B2:B100)
Hint: Type the function that counts all non-empty cells to get the total population size.
5. =MAX(D2:D100)-MIN(D2:D100)
Hint: Type the function that returns the lowest income, so the spread between groups can be found.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A ages ← [16, 25, 41, 67]
B total ← 0
C FOR EACH ages IN a
D total ← total + a
E avg ← total / 4
Line C — The loop variable and the list are swapped. It should be FOR EACH a IN ages so each age in the age data is added to the total.}},
Question 2
A young ← 0
B older ← 0
C FOR EACH a IN ages
D IF a < 25: young ← older+1
E ELSE older ← older + 1
Line D — People under 25 belong in the young age group, so the young counter must increase. It should be young ← young+1.
Question 3
A =COUNTIF(C:C,"Vic")
B =COUNTIF(C:C,"NSW")
C =AVERAGEIF(D:D,"Vic",C:C)
Line C — The ranges are swapped. The location column (C) is the criteria range and the income column (D) is the range to average: =AVERAGEIF(C:C,"Vic",D:D).
Question 4
A avgVic ← AVERAGE(incomeVic)
B avgNSW ← AVERAGE(incomeNSW)
C diff ← avgVic - avgNSW
D IF diff < 0 THEN
E DISPLAY "Vic is higher"
Line D — A positive difference (avgVic - avgNSW) means Victoria's average income is higher. The test should be diff > 0.
Question 5
A age ← 15
B IF age > 18 THEN
C group ← "Youth"
D ELSE
E group ← "Adult"
Line B — The comparison is reversed, so a 15-year-old would be put in the Adult group. It should be IF age < 18 THEN.

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