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Quantitative Techniques – I

Notes 5. Statistics are collected in a systematic manner and for a predetermined purpose: In order
that the results obtained from statistics are free from errors, it is necessary that these
should be collected in a systematic manner. Haphazardly collected figures are not desirable
as they may lead to wrong conclusions. Moreover, statistics should be collected for a well
defined and specific objective, otherwise it might happen that the unnecessary statistics
are collected while the necessary statistics are left out. Hence, a given set of numerical
figures cannot be termed as statistics if it has been collected in a haphazard manner and
without proper specification of the objective.
6. Statistics should be capable of being placed in relation to each other: This characteristic
requires that the collected statistics should be comparable with reference to time or place
or any other condition. In order that statistics are comparable it is essential that they are
homogeneous and pertain to the same investigation. This can be achieved by collecting
data in identical manner for different periods or for different places or for different
conditions.
Hence, any set of numerical facts possessing the above mentioned characteristics can be termed
as statistics or data.
The use of the word ‘STATISTICS’ in singular form refers to a science which provides methods of
collection, analysis and interpretation of statistical data. Thus, statistics as a science is defined on
the basis of its functions and different scholars have defined it in a different way. In order to
know about various aspects of statistics, we now state some of these definitions.
1. “Statistics is the science of counting.” — A.L. Bowley

2. “Statistics may rightly be called the science of averages.” — A.L. Bowley
3. “Statistics is the science of measurement of social organism regarded as a whole in all its
manifestations.” — A.L. Bowley

4. “Statistics is the science of estimates and probabilities.” — Boddington
All of the above definitions are incomplete in one sense or the other because each consider only
one aspect of statistics. According to the first definition, statistics is the science of counting.
However, we know that if the population or group under investigation is large, we do not count
but obtain estimates.
The second definition viz. statistics is the science of averages, covers only one aspect, i.e., measures
of average but, besides this, there are other measures used to describe a given set of data.

The third definition limits the scope of statistics to social sciences only. Bowley himself realised
this limitation and admitted that scope of statistics is not confined to this area only.

The fourth definition considers yet another aspect of statistics. Although, use of estimates and
probabilities have become very popular in modern statistics but there are other techniques, as
well, which are also very important.
The following definitions covers some more but not all aspects of statistics.
5. “The science of statistics is the method of judging collective, natural or social phenomena
from the results obtained by the analysis or enumeration or collection of estimates.”
— W.I. King

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