Unit 1.

Introduction to Statistics

Introduction:
 Conveys different meanings - numbers (figures), tables, charts (graph) all of
which reflect quantitative information.
 Various stages/steps prior to the presentation of information: collection of data,
organization of data, data entry, analysis of data, summarization of data,
interpretation, prediction, drawing inferences, conclusion.
 science concerned with developing and studying methods for collecting,
analyzing, interpreting and presenting empirical data.
 Unit 1. Introduction to Statistics
Origin:
 ‘Statistics’ - Latin word ‘status’ meaning a (political) state/government.
 Collection of numerical data by the kings/rulers on different aspects of the state
– government record.
 Science of the state in the early centuries used for collecting information about
the states.
 Census of Israel (by Moses) in 1491 BC – Number, the fourth book in the Bible
 The term was first coined by Gottfried Achenwall in 1749 - defined ‘Statistics’
as the political sciences of the several countries
 Unit 1. Introduction to Statistics - Definitions
Singular Plural
Tools and techniques Data/Quantitative information
“Statistics refers to the body of technique Statistics are numerical statements of facts in any
or methodology, which has been department of enquiry placed in relation to each
developed for the collection, presentation other.” —A.L. Bowley
and analysis of quantitative data and for
the use of such data in decision making.”
—Nettor and Wasserman
“Statistics may be defined as the “By statistics we mean aggregates of facts affected to
collection, presentation, analysis, and a marked extent by multiplicity of causes, numerically
interpretation of numerical data.” — expressed, enumerated or estimated according to
Croxton and Cowden reasonable standard of accuracy, collected in a
  systematic manner for a predetermined purpose, and
placed in relation to each other.”—Horace Secrist
 Unit 1. Introduction to Statistics – Types
Descriptive
Descriptive statistics is the term given to the
analysis of data that helps describe, show or
summarize data in a meaningful way
Eg. Patterns might emerge from the data.
Descriptive statistics do not, however, allow us to
make conclusions beyond the data we have
analysed or reach conclusions regarding any
hypotheses we might have made
Enables us to present the data in a more
meaningful way, which allows simpler
interpretation of the data,
Measures of central tendency – mean, median,
mode, standard deviation
Methods of presentation: (tables), graphical  
description (i.e., graphs and charts) and statistical
Inferential
Inferential statistics use a random sample of
data taken from a population
makes inferences about the larger population
from which the sample was drawn
the goal of inferential statistics is to draw
conclusions from a sample and generalize
them to a population
Inferential statistics are valuable when it is not
convenient or possible to examine each
member of an entire population.
 Unit 1. Statistics and Environmental Studies.
 The scope of statistics - interdisciplinary in nature.
 Statistical data and formulation of laws, regulation and policies for environmental
protection.
 Environmental data/statistics – rise in global temperature, rainfall, pollution,
degradation of forest, environment hazard.
Three broad types of situations that are often of interest environmental scientists
and resource managers there:
(i) Baseline studies intended to document the present state of the environment in
order to establish future changes resulting, for example, from unforeseen events
 Unit 1. Statistics and Environmental Studies.
(II). Targeted studies designed to assess the impact of planned events such
as the construction of a dam, or accidents such as oil spills.
(III). Regular monitoring intended to detect trends and changes in important
variables, possibly to ensure that compliance conditions are
being met for an industry that is permitted to discharge small amounts of
pollutants into the environment
Conclusions:
 Understanding towards environmental issues.
 Relevant environmental data and policy measures of environmental protection.