Statistics Definitions | All You Need to Learn From Basic to Advanced

Statistics definitions have been provided by a number of well-known statisticians. Statistics definition specifies the scope of statistics and their relevance.

Statistics is as old as human civilization itself. The scope of statistics definitions was formerly restricted to Science statecraft. The term statistics is derived from the Latin term "status," which means "political state," as well as the German word "Statistik," the French word "Statistique," and the Italian word "statista."

Definition of statistics

The term statistics was coined to describe the collection of data with respect to historical and descriptive states. However, as the use of the term statistics has grown, it now has a far broader definition. It is now used to analyze a wide range of data and methodologies. As a result, statistics are defined in both singular and plural senses.

Statistics, according to the American Statistical Association, is "the discipline of learning from, measuring, regulating, and expressing uncertainty."

Singular sense statistics definition

Statistics is defined as a set of procedures and concepts for collecting, presenting, analyzing, and interpreting data in its most basic form. These methods and ideas are also used to simplify complex data so that it can be easily understood by the average person.

Seligman defined statistics in the singular sense, stating that statistics is a method and procedure for dealing with data from the beginning to the end of the data processing process. He described statistics as "the science concerned with the processes of gathering, classifying, presenting, comparing, and interpreting numerical data in order to shed light on any domain of inquiry."

Definition of Statistics in a Plural Sense

In the plural definition, statistics is defined as numerical data. Horace Secrist provides the definition of perfect statistics in the plural sense. “The aggregate of facts affected to a significant degree by a multiplicity of causes numerically expressed, enumerated, or estimated according to reasonable standards of accuracy, collected in a systematic manner for a predetermined purpose, and placed in relation to each other,” he defines statistics as.

What do we make of the statistical definition presented above?

Statistics is a discipline of science concerned with the development and study of methods and procedures for collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and presenting empirical data. It is for this reason that it is regarded as the most multidisciplinary field. The definitions of statistics have changed and emerged as the use of statistics has grown. If we look closely at the definition of statistics, we can see that it is primarily concerned with Uncertainty and Variation. Probability is utilized in statistics because of this.

Characteristics obtained from the concept of statistics

Statistics is an aggregate of facts

The most important characteristic obtained from the definition of statistics is that it is a collection of facts. Statistics is concerned with facts that can be represented in data that is time, place, and frequency linked. Individual and unrelated figures cannot be investigated in statistics, hence there must be some sort of relationship between them. For example, all of the students in a certain class's grades are statistical data.

It is affected to a marked extent of causes

Statistics definitions also imply that statistical data is often associated with the social sciences, and hence is influenced by a variety of circumstances. We can't analyze a single cause, therefore we have to look at the combined influence of several factors.

Statistics is numerically expressed

The definitions of statistics are concerned with quantitative data rather than qualitative data. As a result, statistical data must be expressed numerically. Similarly, if qualitative data can be expressed numerically, it can be classified as statistical data. This is why statistics definitions use the term "data" rather than "qualitative" or "quantitative" data.

Statistical data is estimated as per Reasonable Standards of Accuracy

Each piece of statistical data must be estimated based on its type and the objective of the investigation. As a result, there can't be a single standard for estimating data. As a result, the definition of statistics states that data should be estimated using Reasonable Standards of Accuracy.

Statistics is collected in a Systematic Manner

The tolerable accuracy of statistics can only be reached if they are collected in a systematic manner, according to statistics definitions. Depending on the nature of statistical data, the Manner is systematic or not. If you collect data in a random manner, you may get to incorrect and incorrect conclusions. As a result, accuracy cannot be trusted.

Statistics is done for Pre-determined Purpose

Before beginning the statistical technique, the statistician must have a goal in mind. If you don't know why you're collecting data, you'll wind up at zero because you won't know which methods to use.

Statistics must be in relation to each other

The last characteristic listed in the definition of statistics is that the statistics must be able to be compared to one another. Because you can only compare them then, and if there is no relationship between them, the statistics will be considered heterogeneous data, and statistics can only be performed on homogeneous data.

Conclusion

The definition of statistics has evolved in response to the demand for and development of data-handling methods and procedures in statistics. As previously stated, statistics can be specified in both singular and plural forms. Almost all statisticians recognize some aspects of statistics, which can be interpreted through their statistics definitions.