Statistics in Plural Sense – Statistical Data
Statistics in plural sense discuss about the nature of statistical data.
Prof. Horace Secrist defined “Statistics may be defined as the aggregate of facts affected to a marked
extent by multiplicity of causes, numerically expressed and enumerated or estimated according to a
reasonable standard of accuracy collected in a systematic manner, for predetermined purpose and
placed in relation to each other”
Apart from broadening the scope of statistical data, this definition sets criteria for selection, collection
and analysis of data. It is considered as one of the finest definition of statistics in the plural sense.
It is the aggregate of facts; therefore, a single observation is not in the interest of
statisticians.
It should also be noted that the observations or data discussed in statistics of a
phenomenon must be an outcome of multiplicity of causes, in technical terms – it
should not be deterministic or certain in nature. Statistical data, in essence, are
enumerated or collated through census survey or estimated through sample survey
in a systematic manner with certain degree of accuracy.
Statistics in Singular Sense – As a Science
Statistics in singular sense is defined as set of uniform scientific and systematic
approaches taken in measurement, collation, and interpretation of observations.
Bowley A.L. defines statistics as: “Statistics may be called the science of counting,
the science of averages and as the science of the measurement of social organism,
regarded as a whole in all its manifestations”.
More inclusive and exhaustive definition of statistics as a science is given by
Croxton and Cowden “Statistics as the science of collection, presentation, analysis
and interpretation of numerical data”.
Therefore, statistics in singular form discuss the methods and techniques for
collection of data, presentation including classification, tabulation and visualization
of the collated data, analysis and interpretation of the data.
These methods and techniques are broadly categorized into two: Descriptive
statistics and inferential statistics.
Descriptive statistics is deals with summary characteristics of the data about the
phenomenon investigated while inferential statistics assist in drawing scientifically
valid conclusions about the phenomenon based on the set of observations.
The inferential statistics mostly rely on probability theory and its derivatives to
make inferences that can be generalized about the population, which is the totality
of the observations related to the issue investigated based on sample sets. It, in
general, discusses the methods and principles of sampling, estimation, hypotheses
testing and probable errors in measurements and estimations etc.
SCOPE AND IMPORTANCE OF STATISTICS
Statistical techniques help in mapping a phenomenon into quantitative form and
provide definiteness to the statements made about an issue.
They enable in drawing representative and summary information about a large
volume of observations which otherwise remain not much of practical use.
Statistics helps in summarizing a large volume of data to make meaningful
statements and it also provides numerical and visual forms of representations to
compare different scenarios of various phenomena and to assess their interrelations
and associations.
Statistical analysis help in the empirical falsification of hypothesis and the theories
built on deductive approach.
Statistical techniques also encompass analysis and prediction of a phenomenon and
also assist in the policy formulations and impact analysis in any field of study
Scope of Statistics:
Statistics and Policy Formulation, Monitoring and Analysis
The efficient implementation of policy demands reliable, relevant and timely
data and appropriate statistical methods. It is applied in examination of issue,
identification of points of intervention, development of policy design, monitoring
of the programs and evaluation and forecasting of policy impacts on different
variables of interest. It leads to cost effective and outcome optimising policies
regardless of the entity which is carrying out the activity and its range.
Statistics and Cosmology, Meteorology and Geodesy
The studies on cosmology are heavily depended upon the analysis of large
level of data gathered by cosmologists. Sophisticated Statistical techniques are used
in extracting and deciphering the information contained in the large data set on the
Universe. They help in combining and comparing different data sets, handling of
high dimensional parameter space and in carrying out the experimentations.
Statistics and Life Science, Medical Science and Psychology
Life science studies about the all living organisms while medical science deals
with diagnosis, treatment prevention of disease. There is wide application of
statistical techniques in both of these sciences and in their progress. The association
between statistical method and biological theories was first studied by Francis
Galton in his work on regression analysis.
Statistics and Economics
Statistical tools like index numbers, time series analysis, demand analysis and
forecasting techniques are extensively used for efficient planning and
economic development of a country. Apart from this, many laws in economics such
as Engles’ law of consumption, Pareto’s Law of Income distribution, Revealed
Preference analysis of Prof. Samuelson etc were formulated on the basis of
empirical studies. New Disciplines like Economic Statistics and Econometrics was
the outcome of extensive use of mathematics and statistics in economics.
Statistics and War
Application of mathematics and statistics to warfare has resulted in the new field of
study termed Operational research which has its crucial relevance in modern
business as well. The shift in warfare from conventional line and column tactics to
irregular warfare has made the war analysis more complex and cumbersome. The
victory over irregular warfare also depends on refined information on demography,
culture, religion and social perception of people etc in the conflict ridden areas and
that of the external agencies.
Statistics and Mathematics
Statistics essentially depends on mathematics. The modern theory of statistics has its
foundations on mathematical Theory of Measure and Integration. Moreover, the
developments of statistical techniques and theories for application to various sciences -
social, physical and natural are based on fitting different mathematical models to the
observed data under certain assumptions.
The mathematical tools of interpretation, differentiation, algebra, trigonometry, matrix
theory and so on are widely used in statistical analysis. The pioneer stalwarts in the
theory of modern statistics were all mathematicians
LIMITATIONS OF STATISTICS
Statistics is not directly suited to the study of qualitative phenomenon like honesty,
poverty, culture etc as they are not directly measurable numerically but statistical
techniques are applied indirectly by first reducing those qualitative expressions into
precise quantitative terms
Statistics does not study individuals. Statistics does deal with aggregates of objects
and does not give any specific recognition to the individual items of a series.
Individual item taken separately does not constitute statistical data and are
meaningless for any statistical enquiry. As in the definition given, it studies about
the aggregates and focuses on average representations and dispersions
Statistical Conclusions are probabilistic in nature. The inferences derived from
statistical analysis are of probabilistic in nature. Even though, they serve in
informed decision making, they are not deterministic as there is always a risk of
error which must be borne by the decision maker.
Unlike the laws of physical and natural sciences statistical laws are only
approximations and not exact. On the basis of statistical analysis one can talk in
terms of probability and chance and not in terms of certainty. Statistical tools are
most dangerous in the hands of expertise and may lead to very fallacious
conclusions.
