Introduction To Statistics

• Uses of statistics
• Characteristics of statistics
• Descriptive and inferential statistics
• Population and samples
• Importance of statistics
Introduction to Statistics
The word statistics which means comes from the
Latin word status, meaning a political state,
originally meant information useful to the state.
For example, information about the sizes of
populations and armed forces. But this word has
now acquired different meanings.
1. In first place, the word statistics refers to numerical
facts systematically arranged. In this sense the word
statistics is always used in the plural.
2. In the second place, the word statistics is defined as a
discipline that includes procedures and techniques used
to collect, process and analyses numerical data to make
inferences and to reach decisions in the face of
uncertainty.
3. In the third place, the word statistics are numerical
quantities calculated from sample observation's; a single
quantity that has been so calculated is called a statistics.
Uses of Statistical Information
The statistical information are and can be used for a variety of reasons.
Some of them are as follow:
• To inform general public.
• To explain things that have happened.
• To justify claim.
• To provide general comparisons.
• To predict the decision regarding future outcomes.
• To estimates the unknown quantities.
• To established association / relationship between factors.
Characteristics of Statistics
The definition stated above indicates that statistics is a subject in its own
right. It may therefore be desirable to know the characteristics features of
statistics in order to appreciate and understand its general nature. Some of
its important characteristics are given below:
1. Statistics deals with the behavior of aggregates or large groups of data.
2. Statistics deals with aggregates of observations of the same kind rather
than isolated figures.
3. Statistics deals with variability that obscure underlying patterns. No
two objects in this universe are exactly alike. If they were, there would
have been no statistical problem.
4. Statistics deals with uncertainties as every process of getting
observations whether controlled or uncontrolled, involves
deficiencies or chance variation. That is why we have to talk in
terms of probability.
5. Statistics deals with those characteristics or aspects of things which
can be described numerically either by counts or by measurements.
6. Statistical laws are valid on the average or in the long run. There is
no guarantee that a certain law will hold in al cases. Statistical
inference is therefore made in the face of uncertainity.
Descriptive and Inferential Statistics
Descriptive Statistics
Descriptive statistics is that branch of statistics which deals with the
concept and methods concerned with summarization and description of
the important aspects of numerical data. This area of study consists of
the consideration of data, their graphical display and the computation of
a few numerical quantities that provide information about the center of
the data and indicate the spread of the observations.
 Inferential Statistics
Inferential statistics deals with the procedures for making inferences
about the characteristics that describe the large group of data or the
whole, called the population , from the knowledge derived from only a
part of the data, known as sample. This area includes the estimation of
population parameters and testing of statistical hypotheses. This phase
of statistics is based on probability theory as the inferences which are
made on the basis of sample evidence, cannot be absolutely certain.
Population and Sample
Population
A population or a statistical population is a collection or set of all
possible observations whether finite or infinite, relevant to some
characteristics of interest.
Sample
A sample is a part or subset of a population.
Importance of Statistics
Statistics is perhaps a subject that is used by everybody. The following
functions and uses of statistics in most diverse fields serve to indicate its
importance.
1. Statistics assists in summarizing the larger sets of data in a form that
is easily understandable.
2. Statistics assists in the efficient design of a laboratory and field
experiments as well as surveys.
3. Statistics assists in a sound and effective planning in any field of
inquiry.
4. A businessman, an industrialist and a research worker all employ
statistical methods in their work. Banks, Insurance companies and
Governments all have their statistics departments.
5. A modern administrator whether in public or private sector, leans
on statistical data to provide a factual basis for decision.
6. A politician uses statistics advantageously to lend support and
credence to his arguments while elucidating the problems he
handles.
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