A probability distribution is a table or graph showing the full array of theoretical probabilities for any given variable. These probabilities represent not what we actually see (i.e., tangible empirical outcomes) but, rather, the gamut of potential empirical outcomes and each outcome’s probability of being the one that actually happens. Probability distributions are theoretical. A probability distribution is constructed on the basis of an underlying parameter or statistic (such as a proportion or a mean) and represents the probability associated with each possible outcome. Two types of probability distributions are discussed in this chapter: binomial and continuous.
Probability distribution: A table or graph showing the entire set of probabilities associated with every possible empirical outcome.