Confidence Intervals Defined
A confidence interval is a range of values, derived from sample statistics, which is likely to contain the value of an unknown population parameter. Its reliability is quantified by the confidence level.
Understanding Confidence Levels
The confidence level, typically expressed as a percentage (90%, 95%, 99%), indicates the probability that the interval will capture the true parameter value in repeated samples.
Margin of Error Explained
Margin of error is half the width of a confidence interval and reflects the extent of uncertainty or variability in the sample statistic.
Misconceptions Clarified
A common misconception is that a 95% confidence interval contains the true parameter 95% of the time. Instead, 95% of such intervals from repeated sampling will contain the true parameter.
Calculating Intervals
Confidence intervals are calculated using a point estimate from the sample, the standard error, and the z- or t-distribution depending on sample size and variance knowledge.
Confidence vs. Prediction Intervals
Unlike confidence intervals that estimate population parameters, prediction intervals predict the range for future individual observations and are generally wider.
Nonparametric Intervals
Nonparametric methods like bootstrapping allow confidence interval construction without assuming a specific distribution, useful for complex or unknown distributions.