This document discusses the different meanings and definitions of statistics. It explains that statistics has three different meanings: (1) plural sense referring to numerical facts and figures collected systematically, (2) singular sense referring to the science of collecting, analyzing, and presenting numerical data, and (3) plural of the word "statistic" referring to numerical quantities calculated from samples. The document also provides several definitions of statistics from different authors, describing it as the science of collecting, organizing, and interpreting quantitative data.

1. Meanings of Statistics

2. • It is not a new discipline but it is as
old as the human society,
• It has been used right from the
existence of life on this earth, although
the sphere of its utility was very much
restricted.
Meanings of Statistics

3. Meanings of Statistics
• In the olden days Statistics was
regarded as the ‘Science Statecraft’ and
was the by-product of the administrative
activity of the state.
• The word Statistics seems to have been
derived from the Latin word ‘status’ or the
Italian word ‘statista’ or the German word
‘statistik’ or the French word ‘statistique’
each of which means a political state.

4. Meanings of Statistics
The word statistics has three different
meanings (sense) which are discussed
below:
(1) Plural Sense
(2) Singular Sense
(3) Plural of the word “Statistic”

5. Meanings of Statistics
(1) Plural Sense:
• In plural sense, the word statistics refer
to numerical facts and figures collected in a
systematic manner with a definite purpose in
any field of study.
• In plural sense, statistics is considered as
a numerical description of quantitative aspect
of things.

6. Meanings of Statistics
(1) Plural Sense:
• Statistics are also aggregates of facts
which are expressed in numerical form.
Example, Statistics on industrial production,
statistics or population growth of a country in
different years etc.

7. Meanings of Statistics
(2) Singular Sense:
• In singular sense, it refers to the science
comprising methods which are used in
collection, analysis, interpretation and
presentation of numerical data.
• A device which is employed for the
purpose of collection, classification,
presentation, comparison and interpretation of
data.

8. Meanings of Statistics
(2) Singular Sense:
• Devices help to simplify the complex data
and make it possible for a common man to
understand it without much difficulty.
• The purpose is to make the data simple,
lucid and easy to be understood by a common
man of mediocre intelligence.

9. Meanings of Statistics
(2) Singular Sense:
For Example: If we want to have a study about
the distribution of weights of students in a
certain college.
• First of all, collect the information on the
weights which may be obtained from the records
of the college or we may collect from the
students directly.

10. Meanings of Statistics
(2) Singular Sense:
• The large number of weight figures will
confuse the mind. In this situation we may
arrange the weights in groups such as: “50 Kg to
60 Kg” “60 Kg to 70 Kg” and so on and find the
number of students fall in each group. This step
is called a presentation of data.
• We may still go further and compute the
averages and some other measures which may
give us complete description of the original data.

11. Meanings of Statistics
(3) Plural of Word “Statistic”:
• The word statistics is used as the plural of
the word “Statistic” which refers to a numerical
quantity like mean, median, variance etc…,
calculated from sample value.
• For Example: If we select 15 student from
a class of 80 students, measure their heights
and find the average height. This average would
be a statistic.

12. Definitions of Statistics

13. Definitions of Statistics
• It is a branch of mathematics dealing
with the collection, analysis, interpretation,
presentation, and organization of data.
• Selligman maintained this view of the
term ‘statistics’ that it involves a procedure
and a method from the primary stage to the
final stage of analysis or conclusions etc.

14. Definitions of Statistics
• Turtle defines statistics as “the body of
principles and techniques of collecting,
classifying, presenting, comparing and
interpreting quantitative data.”
• “Statistics is the science which deals
with the classification and tabulation of
numerical facts as the basis for
explanation, description, and composition
of phenomenon”. (Lovitt)

15. Definitions of Statistics
• Statistics may be defined as the
science of collection, presentation, analysis
and interpretation of numerical data.
(Croxton and Cowden)
• The science and art of handling
aggregate of facts – observing ,
enumeration, recording, classifying, and
otherwise systematically treating them.
(Harlow)

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