Statistics

Dr. Samta Soni

Introduction
• Statistics are vital to nursing.
• A statistic is basically a way of
viewing and understanding data.
Definition
• “Statistics is the study of the collection, analysis,
interpretation, presentation and organization of data”.
(Dodge, Y. (2006) The Oxford Dictionary of Statistical
Terms)

• “Statistics is the science of learning from data, and of

measuring, controlling, and communicating uncertainty;
and it thereby provides the navigation essential for
controlling the course of scientific and societal advances”
(Davidian and Louis, 2012)
Types of Statistics
Statistical methods can be used to summarize
Descriptive
●

or describe a collection of data

Patterns in the data may be modeled in a way that accounts for

Inferential
●

randomness and uncertainty in the observations, and are then used to

draw inferences about the process or population being studied

Applied Contains descriptive statistics and the application

●

of inferential statistics.

●
the manipulation of probability distributions necessary for deriving

Mathmetical results related to methods of estimation and various aspects of

computational statistics and the design of experiments.

” consist of logical arguments underlying

Theoretical
●

justification of approaches to statistical inference

Importance of Statistics
Knowledge in statistics provides necessary tools and
conceptual foundations in quantitative reasoning to
extract information intelligently from this sea of data.

 Statistical methods and analyses are often used to

communicate research findings and to support hypotheses
and give credibility to research methodology and
conclusions.

 It is important for researchers and also consumers of

research to understand statistics so that they can be
informed, evaluate the credibility and usefulness of
information, and make appropriate decisions.
Importance of Statistics
• Statistical methods and analyses are often used to
communicate research findings and to support hypotheses
and give credibility to research methodology and
conclusions.

• It is important for researchers and also consumers of

research to understand statistics so that they can be
informed, evaluate the credibility and usefulness of
information, and make appropriate decisions.
Importance of Statistics
• Statics is very important when it comes to the conclusion
of the research.

• • In this aspect the major purposes of statistics are to help

us understand and describe phenomena in our word and
to help us draw reliable conclusions about those
phenomena.
Role of statistics in scientific
research
Importance of Statistics in Research
• Statistics play a vital role in researches. For example
statistics can used as in data collection, analysis,
interpretation, explanation and presentation.

• Use of statistics will guide researchers in research for

proper characterization, summarization, presentation and
interpretation of the result of research.

• • Statistics provides a platform for research as to; How to

go about your research, either to consider a sample or the
whole population, the Techniques to use in data collection
and observation, how to go about the data description
(using measure of central tendency).
 Informs methods on data
collection

Used to support or negate a hypothesis

Without statistical tests there would be no objective
way to show whether the data are in support or in
disagreement of research questions

Seeks out uncertainty, errors, and outliers in the data

Using statistics can help us map out  outliers, identify the
levels of uncertainty in our results, and help us deal fairly
with those errors.

Multivariate statistics and modelling

Without statistics we would be unable to tease apart
the multitude of effects that may be influencing our 
dependent variable.

Aid interpretation, summarization, and communication of

Importance datasets:
Having utilized the appropriate statistical test, fair and objective
conclusions, implications, can now be interpreted from the

of Statistics dataset.

in Research
Take home message
• Statistics help us to understand our patients

• Statistics help us to understand ourselves as critical care

nurses

• Statistics help us to compare options for practice

• Statistics challenge us to rethink our assumptions

• Statistics help us to develop our profession

• Statistics can help you in your personal life too

• Statistics teach us to be cautious

References
• Bu.edu, 'Why Study Statistics » Statistics » Boston University',
2014. [Online]. Available:
http://www.bu.edu/stat/undergraduate-program-
information/why-study-statistics/. [Accessed: 23- Oct2014].

• Understanding Descriptive and Inferential Statistics. 2014.

Understanding Descriptive and Inferential Statistics.
[ONLINE] Available at:https://statistics.laerd.com/statistical-
guides/descriptive-inferential-statistics.php. [Accessed 27
October 2014]. Kent, J 2013,

• ' Why Statistics Is Important To A Research?', Viewed 24

October 2014, http://education.blurtit.com/335945/why-
statistics-is-important-to-a-research