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Unit 1: Statistics

6. “Statistics or statistical method may be defined as collection, presentation, analysis and Notes
interpretation of numerical data.” — Croxton and Cowden
This is a simple and comprehensive definition of statistics which implies that statistics is
a scientific method.
7. “Statistics is a science which deals with collection, classification and tabulation of numerical
facts as the basis for the explanation, description and comparison of phenomena.”
— Lovitt
8. “Statistics is the science which deals with the methods of collecting, classifying, presenting,
comparing and interpreting numerical data collected to throw some light on any sphere
of enquiry.” — Seligman
The definitions given by Lovitt and Seligman are similar to the definition of Croxton and
Cowden except that they regard statistics as a science while Croxton and Cowden has termed it
as a scientific method.

With the development of the subject of statistics, the definitions of statistics given above have
also become outdated. In the last few decades the discipline of drawing conclusions and making
decisions under uncertainty has grown which is proving to be very helpful to decision makers,
particularly in the field of business. Although, various definitions have been given which include
this aspect of statistics also, we shall now give a definition of statistics, given by Spiegel, to
reflect this new dimension of statistics.
9. “Statistics is concerned with scientific method for collecting, organising, summarising,
presenting and analysing data as well as drawing valid conclusions and making reasonable
decisions on the basis of such analysis.”

On the basis of the above definitions we can say that statistics, in singular sense, is a science
which consists of various statistical methods that can be used for collection, classification,
presentation and analysis of data relating to social, political, natural, economical, business or
any other phenomena. The results of the analysis can be used further to draw valid conclusions
and to make reasonable decisions in the face of uncertainty.

1.1.1 Statistics as a Scientific Method

We have seen above that, statistics as a non-experimental science can be used to study and
analyse various problems of social sciences. It may, however, be pointed out that there may be
situations even in natural sciences, where conducting of an experiment under hundred per cent
controlled conditions is rather impossible. Statistics, under such conditions, finds its use in
natural sciences, like physics, chemistry, etc.
In view of the uses of statistics in almost all the disciplines of natural as well as social sciences,
it will be more appropriate to regard it as a scientific method rather than a science. Statistics as
a scientific method can be divided into the following two categories:
1. Theoretical Statistics: Theoretical statistics can be further sub-divided into the following
three categories:
(a) Descriptive Statistics: All those methods which are used for the collection,
classification, tabulation, diagrammatic presentation of data and the methods of
calculating average, dispersion, correlation and regression, index numbers, etc., are
included in descriptive statistics.

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