” The reasoning of mathematics is founded on
certain and infallible principles. Every word they
use conveys a determinate idea, and by accurate
definition, they excite the same ideas in the mind
of the reader that were in the mind of the writer,
“----JOHN ADAMS.
Statistics
Though statistics is young when compared with the other mathematical sciences,
the most widely applied of the mathematical sciences is probably statistics. So,
what is Statistics? This is perhaps the first question in your mind? The word
statistics comes from the word state because governments were the first to
gather and interpret data. The purpose for gathering these facts (data), from
early Greece and Rome until today, has often been for war and tax purposes.
Other reasons include the use of population figures in proportioning the
appropriate members for each state in the parliament. The other interesting fact
about statistics is that some of the basic work in statistics has been done in the
last century.
Definition 1.1
Statistics is a scientific method of investigation which involves the collection,
analysis and interpretation of numerical information or data.
It follows from the above definition that there are steps and rules which have to
be followed for the results of an analysis to be valid. If the general ethical code of
scientific methodology Is not followed, then wrong decisions and conclusions
about a data generating process or model will be made. For instance, one might
conclude that tobacco smoking is not harmful to health if he/he considers his/her
, uncle; a chain tobacco smoker who lived up to 125 years. That is nonsense since
it is absurd to refer to only one person in a situation involving millions.
The main aims or functions of Statistics
One may ask at this point, “What really are the aims and/or functions of
Statistics. The answer to this question is: -
to enhance our knowledge about world and the environment we live in, by
providing accurate numerical information or facts about various natural
processes, physical, biological, socio-economic etc. and laws governing
them.
To lend precision to ideas that otherwise would remain vague, for
example, accurate and precise measurements and or projections of level
of important variable such as population figures, agricultural output,
industrial production, state of other economy, quality of goods and
services.
Statistics is now used in almost all areas of human endeavor. The areas of
application include Demography (Population Studies), Agriculture, Economics,
Finance, Business, Science, Medicine, Engineering, Education, Sociology etc.
Definition 1.2
A statistician is a person who collects data (in an appropriate manner), analysis
it is using statistical techniques, interprets the results and makes conclusions
and recommendations based on the data analysis.
Up to now, I have noticed something i.e., the word data keeps turning up in our
discussion of Statistics. Data is the “blood” of statistics. The world of Statistics
revolves around data, there Is no Statistics without data. So, what is data? Why
do we collect it?
The Data
It refers at least in simple terms to numbers or figures or any other details
obtained from some process for example, the ages of all 2 Wet pupils at Mitch
Irie elite college. The types of uniforms worn by boys at a certain primary school,
data come in two form and these are quantity and quality. the ages 2 west pupils
are quantitative data whilst the types of uniforms are qualitative data.
Describing Data
Information or data can be described in two ways: -
1. Graphical displays
2. Summary measures
