Introduction

Statistics has become an integral part of our everyday life.

If you read any newspaper or watch television, use the
Internet, or other types of media, you will see statistical
information. Such information has become highly
influential in our lives. With this information, we make a
decision about the correctness of a statement, claim, or
"fact." Statistical methods can help us make the "best
educated guess. “

Before getting involved in the subject matter in detail, let us

define some of the terms used extensively in the field of
statistics.

Definition of Statistics

Stages in Statistical Investigation

According to the definition of statistics as a statistical method, a statistical investigation

involves five stages:

Classification ofStatistics
 Statistics can be classified into two: descriptive and inferential statistics.

Descriptive Statistics
 involves organizing, summarizing, and displaying data.
 collects data through survey, interview, experiment, etc.
 presents data by means of tables and graphs
 characterizes data using numerical measures such as measures of central
tendency and measures of dispersion (variation)

Examples
1. The average age of the students in this class is 20 years.
2. Of the students enrolled in Statistics course this year, 74% are male and 26% are female.
3. The percentage of students who passed the Statistics course in the previous year.

Inferential Statistics
 uses sample data to draw conclusions about the characteristics of a population.
 involves estimation, hypothesis testing, determining relationships between
variables and making predictions.

Examples
1. A manager would like to predict based on previous years’ sales, the sales
performance of a company for the next five years
2. There is a strong association between student study habits and academic performance.
3. The chance of winning the Lottery in any day is 1 out of 167000.

Important Statistical Terms

 Population
The collection of all responses, measurements, or counts that are of interest
 Sample
A portion or subset of the population. Normally, a sample should be selected in such a
way as to be representative of the population

 Parameter
A number that describes a population characteristic

Example
Average gross income of all people in the Philippines in 2019.

 Statistic
A number that describes a sample characteristic

Example
2019 gross income of people in a sample of 3 regions.
Applications of Statistics
In this modern time, statistical information plays a very important role in a wide range of
fields. Some of the areas where the knowledge of statistics is usually applied are as
follows