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Statistics is the study of the collection, organization, analysis, and interpretation of data. It deals with
all aspects of this, including the planning of data collection in terms of the design
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of surveysand experiments.
a branch of applied mathematics concerned with the collection and interpretation of quantitative data
andthe use of probability theory to estimate population parameters
Some of its important characteristics are given below:
Statistics are aggregates of facts.
Statistics are numerically expressed.
Statistics are affected to a marked extent by multiplicity of causes.
Statistics are enumerated or estimated according to a reasonable
standard of accuracy.
Statistics are collected for a predetermine purpose.
Statistics are collected in a systemic manner.
Statistics must be comparable to each other.
Characteristics of Statistics
Statistics is a subject in its own right. It may therefore be desirable to know the characteristic feature
of statistics in order to appreciate and understand its general nature. Some of its important characteristics
are given below:
Statistics deals with the behavior of aggregates or large group of data. It has nothing to do with what is
happening to a particular individual or object of the aggregate.
Statistics deals with aggregates of observations of the same kind rather than isolated figures.
Statistics deals with variability that obscures underlying patterns. No two objects in this universe are exactly
alike. If they were, there would have been no statistical problem.
Statistics deals with uncertainties as every process getting observations whether controlled or uncontrolled,
involves deficiencies or chance variation. That’s why we have to talk in terms of probability.
Statistics deals with those characteristics or aspects of things which can be describes numerically either by counts
or by measurements.
Statistics seals with those aggregates which are subject to a number of random causes, e.g. the heights of persons
are subject to a number of causes such as rays, ancestry, age, diet, habits, climate and so forth.
Statistical laws are valid on the average or in the long run. There is no guarantee that a certain law will hold in all
cases. Statistical inference is therefore made in the phase of certainty.
Statistical results might be misleading and incorrect if sufficient care in collecting, processing and interpreting
the data is not exercised or if the statistical data is handled by a person who is not well versed in the subject
matter of statistics.