What is statistics

THE word statistics came into existence towards
the middle of the eighteenth century.It is derived
from the Latin word ‘status’ or the Italian word
‘statista’ or the German word ‘statistik’ ; each of
which means a ‘’Political State’.

STATISTICS CAN BE
DIVIDED INTO 2 PARTS:

SINGULAR

PLURAL

In the singular
sense it refers to
techniques or
methods relating
to
collection,present
ation,analysis and
interpetation of
quantative data.

DEFINITION…IN THE
SINGULAR SENSE…
 “Statistics may be defined as the
collection, presentation, analysis and interpretation of
numerical data.” -Croxton
and Cowden
 “Statistics is the science which deals with the
collection, classification and tabulation of numerical
facts as a basis for the explanation, description and
comparison of phenomena.” - -Lovitt
 “Statistics is the science which deals with the methods
of collecting, classifying, presenting, comparing and
interpreting numerical data collected to throw some

IN the plural
sense it refers to
information in
terms of
numbers or
numerical data,
such as
population
statistics,
employment
statistics,
statistics
concerning
public
expenditure.

DEFINITION…in the plural
sense…
 “Statistics are numerical statements of facts in any
department of enquiry placed in relation to each
other.” -Bowley
 “By statistics we mean quantitative data affected to a
marked extent by multiplicity of causes.”
-Yule and Kendall

FUNCTIONS OF STATISTICS!!!
DEFINITENESS CONDENSATION

COMPARISION PREDICTION

POLICY FORMULATION TESTING HYPOTHESIS

 DEFINITENESS : Statistics presents facts in a
precise and definite form thus help proper
comprehension of what is stated. For example,
number of unemployment per 1000 employment has
increased.
 CONDENSATION : It condenses mass of data into a
few significant data. For example, the per capita
income of India easy to find than the individual
income.
 COMPARISION : Unless figures are compared with
others of the same kind they are often devoid of any
meaning. For example, If we say that the production of
Maruti Udyog Ltd. has increased from 200 cars a day
to 2500 cars a day.

 TESTING HYPOTHESIS : Statistical methods are
extremely useful in formulating and testing hypothesis and
to develop new theories. For example, whether students
have benefited from the extra coaching or not.
 PREDICTION : Statistical methods provide helpful
means of forecasting future events. For example, if a
businessman has to decide how much he should produce
in 2010, then he would be analysing the sales data of the
previous year to predict the maximum production of the
year.
 FORMULATING POLICIES : Statistics provide the basic
material for framing suitable policies. For example, the
decision regarding the import of oil depends upon the total
consumption and the internal production.

COMPUTER…
 As statistical theories become more complex, it
becomes increasingly difficult to perform the
calculations needed to apply these theories…
 As statisticians devise new ways of describing and
using data of decisions, computer respond with newer
& more efficient ways of performing these operations.
 Conversely, with the evolution of more powerful
techniques, people in statistics are encouraged to
explore new and more sophisticated methods of
statistical analysis.

 Study of numerical facts only: It studies only
quantitative phenomena and not qualitative
phenomena like honesty, friendship, wisdom etc.
 Study of aggregates only: For example, if the
income of Ram is Rs 2000 per month ,it has no
relevance in statistics. But if the income of Ram is Rs
2000 p.m.,that of Sohan is Rs 3000 p.m. and that of
Shyam is Rs 4000 p.m. in the aggregate of Rs 9000 and
average of Rs 3000,it makes sense in terms of relative
income of all the three persons.
 Homogeneity of Data, an Essential Requirement:
For example, production of foodgrains cannot be
compared with the production of cloth. It is because
cloth is measured in metres and foodgrains in tonnes .

 Results are true only on an average: For instance, if it is
said that per capita income in India is Rs 18000 p.a., it does
not mean that the income of each and every Indian is Rs
18000 p.a.
 Without reference, results may prove to be wrong: For
example, in the business of cloth profits earned during
three years may be Rs 1000,Rs 2000,Rs 3000 and in business
of paper profits are Rs 3000,Rs 2000,Rs 1000 respectively.
Thus the average profit is Rs 2000 p.a. conclusively it may
states that the economic status of both the business is
same which may not be true.
 Can be used only by the experts: It can only be used by
those persons who have special knowledge of statistical
methods otherwise they cannot make sensible use of
statistics.
 Prone to misuse: It is usually said, “Statistics are like clay
by which you can make a devil, as you please”.

STATISTICS AND STATE

STATISTICS AND BUSINESS

STATISTICS AND ECONOMICS

STATISTICS AND PHYSICAL SCIENCE

STATISTICS AND NATURAL SCIENCE

SATTISTICS AND RESEARCH

STATISTICS AND OTHER USES

QUESTIONS???
STATISTICS

What is statistics

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What is statistics