Characteristics of statistics

Sarfraz Ahmad
Lecturer
Kohat University of Science & Technology

1. Characteristics of Statistics

2. Horace Secrist defined statistics as “ Certain essential characteristics which must be possessed by numerical data, in order to be called ‘Statistics ’. Lets Discuss one by one; Characteristics of Statistics

3. Characteristics of Statistics Statistics are Aggregate of Facts Statistics are Affected to a marked Extent by Multiplicity, of Causes: Statistics are Numerically Expressed Statistics are Enumerated or estimated according to Reasonable Standards of Accuracy Statistics are Collected in a Systematic Manner Statistics for a Pre-determined Purpose Statistics are Capable of being Placed in Relation to each other

4. Characteristics of Statistics 1- Statistics are Aggregate of Facts Only those facts which are capable of being studied in relation to time, place or frequency can be called statistics. Individual , single or unconnected figures are not statistics because they cannot be studied in relation to each other. Due to this reason, only aggregate of facts e.g., data relating to I.Q. of a group of students, academic achievement of students, etc. are called statistics and are studied in relation to each other .

5. Characteristics of Statistics 2 . Statistics are Affected to a marked Extent by Multiplicity, of Causes: Statistical data are more related to social sciences and as such, changes are affected to a combined effect of many factors. We cannot study the effect of a particular cause on a phenomenon. It is only in physical sciences that individual causes can be traced and their impact is clearly known. In statistical study of social sciences, we come to know the combined effect of multiple causes .

6. Characteristics of Statistics For example , deterioration of achievement score in academic sphere of some students may not be only due to lack of interest in school subjects, but may also due to lack of motivation, effective teaching methods, attitude of the students on school subjects, faulty scoring procedure, etc . Similarly scores on memory test of a group certainly depend on meaningfulness of learning materials, maturation of the students, methods of learning, motivation, interest of the students, etc .

7. Characteristics of Statistics 3. Statistics are Numerically Expressed : Qualitative phenomena which cannot be numerically expressed, cannot be described as statistics e.g. honesty, goodness, ability, etc. But if we assign numerical expression, it maybe described as ‘statistics ’.

8. Characteristics of Statistics 4. Statistics are Enumerated or estimated according to Reasonable Standards of Accuracy: The standard of estimation and of accuracy differs from enquiry to enquiry or from purpose to purpose. There cannot be one standard of uniformity for all types of enquiries and for all purposes. A single student cannot be ignored while calculating I.Q. of 100 students in group whereas 10 soldiers can be easily ignored while finding out I.Q. of soldiers of whole country . Similarly we can ignore ten deaths in a country but we cannot ignore even a single death in a family. The amount of time and resources at disposal also determine the amount of accuracy in estimates .

9. Characteristics of Statistics 5. Statistics are Collected in a Systematic Manner: In order to have reasonable standard of accuracy statistics must be collected in a very systematic manner. Any rough and haphazard method of collection will not be desirable for that may lead to improper and wrong conclusion. Accuracy will also be not definite and as such cannot be believed .

10. Characteristics of Statistics 6. Statistics for a Pre-determined Purpose: The investigator must have a purpose beforehand and then should start the work of collection. Data collected without any purpose is of no use. Suppose we want to know intelligence of a section of people, we must not collect data relating to income, attitude and interest . Without having a clear idea about the purpose we will not be in a position to distinguish between necessary data and unnecessary data or relevant data and irrelevant data .

11. Characteristics of Statistics 7. Statistics are Capable of being Placed in Relation to each other: Statistics is a method for the purpose of comparison etc. It must be capable of being compared, otherwise, it will lose much of its value and significance. Comparison can be made only if the data are homogeneous . Data on memory test can be compared with I.Q. not with salary status of parents. It is with the use of comparison only that we can depict changes which may relate to time, place, frequency or any other character, and statistical devices are used for this purpose .

12. Thank You