Statistics in Psychology - an introduction

Introduction to Statistics in Psychology
Dr.M.Suresh Kumar PhD

About the Presenter
● Dr.Suresh Kumar Murugesan is a Passionate Professor,Researcher
and Positive Mental Health and Wellness Practitioner from Madurai,
Tamil Nadu,India
● At present he is Heading the PG Department of Psychology,The
American College,Madurai and Adjunct Professor of School of
Behavioural Sciences and Education at Texila American University
● He is very keen in learning new research studies in behavioural
Sciences and open to learn.
● His ultimate aim is to make impression in the ﬁeld of Knowledge
● His area of specializations are Psychometry,Counselling &
Psychotherapy
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Disclaimer
● This presentation is prepared
for learning purpose only and
all the images and pictures
used in this presentation are
taken from google image
search.
● Due recognition was given to all
the material collected from the
various sources.
● Any name or reference is
missed kindly bring it to the
notice of the presenter for
inclusion.
● Email -
sureshkumar800@yahoo.com
Thank you
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Outline
Introduction
● Origin
● Meaning and Definitions
● Need and Importance
● Functions
● Types of statistics

Origin
The word ‘ Statistics’ and ‘ Statistical’ is derived from the Latin word Status,
means a political state or a Government.

1602
● Shakespeare used the word statist is his drama
Hamlet (1602).
● In the past, statistics was used by rulers.
● The application of statistics was very limited, but
rulers and kings needed information about land,
agriculture, commerce, populations of their states to
assess their military potential, their wealth, taxation
and other aspects of government.

1749 - German
Gottfried Achenwall used
the word statistik at a
German University in 1749
to mean the political
science of different
countries.

1771
In 1771 W. Hooper (an Englishman) used
the word statistics in his translation of
Elements of Universal Erudition written by
Baron B.F Bieford.
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18th Century
During the 18th century, English writers used the word statistics in their
works, so statistics has developed gradually during the last few centuries.

20th Century
● A lot of work on statistics was done at the end of the
nineteenth century.
● At the beginning of the 20th century, William S
Gosset developed the methods for decision making
based on small sets of data.

Present Era
During the 21th century, the availability of electronics is certainly a major
factor in the modern development of statistics.
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Meaning
Statistics the science of collecting and studying the numbers.

Definition-1
Statistics is the science of gaining information from numerical data - Moore

Definition-2
Statistics “the science of data involving collecting, classifying, summarising,
organizing, analysing and interpreting numerical information” - McClave,
Dietrich, Sincich

Definition-3
Statistics are numerical statement of facts in any department of enquiry
placed in relation to each other - Bowley

Characteristics of
Statistics
1. Statistics are aggregates of facts.
2. Statistics are numerically expressed.
3. Statistics are affected to a marked extent by
multiplicity of causes.
4. Statistics are enumerated or estimated
according to a reasonable standard of
accuracy.
5. Statistics are collected for a predetermined
purpose.
6. Statistics are collected in a systematic
manner.
7. Statistics must be comparable to each other.

S.NO Functions What it does
1 Collection The basic ingredient of statistics is data. It should be carefully and scientifically collected
2 Classification The collected data is grouped based on similarities so that large and complex data are in
understandable form.
3 Condensation The data is summarized, precisely without losing information to do further statistical
analysis.
4 Comparison It helps to identify the best one and checking for the homogeneity of groups,
5 Correlation It enables to find the relationship among the variables
6 Causation. To evaluate the impact of independent variables on the dependent variables.
7 Chance Statistics helps make correct decisions under uncertainty.
Functions of Statistics
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Uses of Statistics
Statistics helps in
1. providing a better understanding and accurate description of nature’s phenomena.
2. the proper and efficient planning of a statistical inquiry in any field of study.
3. collecting appropriate quantitative data.
4. presenting complex data in a suitable tabular, diagrammatic and graphic form for an
easy and clear comprehension of the data.
5. understanding the nature and pattern of variability of a phenomenon through quantitative
observations.
6. drawing valid inferences, along with a measure of their reliability about the population parameters
from the sample data.
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Uses of Statistics
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Limitations
of Statistics
Statistics with all its wide application in every sphere
of human activity has its own limitations. Some of
them are given below.
○ Statistics is not suitable to the study of qualitative
phenomenon
○ Statistics does not study individuals
○ Statistical laws are not exact
○ Statistics table may be misused
○ Statistics is only, one of the methods of studying a problem
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Types of
Statistics
Statistics may be divided into two main
branches:
1. Descriptive Statistics
2. Inferential Statistics
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Descriptive Statistics
Descriptive statistics deals with the collection of data, its
presentation in various forms, such as tables, graphs and
diagrams and finding averages and other measures which
would describe the data.
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Inferential Statistics
Inferential statistics deals with techniques used for the analysis of
data, making estimates and drawing conclusions from limited
information obtained through sampling and testing the reliability
of the estimates.
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Types of Statistics
1. Descriptive Statistics: It involves describing and summarizing the sets of numerical data with the help of
pictures and statistical quantities. Techniques used may include averages dispersion, skewness, time series,
etc.
2. Inferential Statistics: It encompasses those methods that are helpful in drawing conclusion and inferences with
respect to parameters of population, based on estimates which are drawn from samples. Chi-square, F-test,
t-test, etc techniques are used.
3. Applied Statistics: Those methods and techniques are used in applied statistics which are applicable to specific
problems of real-life scenarios. Techniques used may include sample survey, quality control, index numbers etc.
4. Inductive Statistics: Those methods and techniques are covered here which are used to identify a specific
phenomenon based on random observation. Techniques used may include Extrapolation.
5. Analytical Statistics: Analytical statistics uses such methods and techniques that are helpful in setting up
functional relationship amidst variables. In this correlation, regression, association and attributes techniques are
used.
6. Mathematical Statistics: It deals with the application of different mathematical theories and techniques to
develop different statistical techniques. It uses techniques like integration, differentiation, trigonometry, matrix,
etc.

References
1. https://www.emathzone.com/tutorials/basic-statistics/histor
y-of-statistics.html
2. https://businessjargons.com/statistics.html
3. https://www.preservearticles.com/articles/what-are-the-imp
ortant-functions-of-statistics/7678

Statistics in Psychology - an introduction

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