Page 40 - DCOM203_DMGT204_QUANTITATIVE_TECHNIQUES_I

Unit 2: Classification of Data

Notes

Notes Distrust of Statistics

After the study of functions and importance of statistics, one may find that statistics is
indeed a very useful science. However, there are chances of its being misused by the
biased or the ignorant people. The use of statistics by such people is likely to give a
misleading interpretation of a given problem. This has created a feeling of distrust about
statistics amongst the common people. This feeling of distrust has been expressed by
different scholars as:
1. “There are three kinds of lies : lies, damned lies and statistics.”

2. “Statistics can prove anything.”
3. “Statistics is a rainbow of lies.”
4. “Statistics are like clay of which you can make God or Devil, as you please.”
All these statements reflect a feeling of distrust of statistics.

!
Caution Statistics is only a tool which could be used in right or wrong ways, as is obvious
from the statement that, “figures won’t lie but liars figure”.

Task Suggest suitable measures to restore trust in statistics.
Self Assessment

State whether the following statements are true or false:
16. When data are classified according to only one characteristic, distributions are known as
univariate frequency distributions.

17. A frequency distribution obtained by the simultaneous classification of data according to
two characteristics, is known as a bivariate frequency distribution.
18. In a bivariate classification either or both the variable can be discrete or continuous.

Case Study Statistical Series

The classified data when arranged in some logical order, e.g., according to the size,
according to the time of occurrence or according to some other measurable or non-
measurable characteristics, is known as Statistical Series.
H. Secrist defined a statistical series as, “A series, as used statistically, may be defined as
things or attributes of things arranged according to some logical order.” Another definition
given by L. R. Connor as, “If the two variable quantities can be arranged side by side so
that the measurable differences in the one correspond to the measurable differences in the
other, the result is said to form a statistical series.”
Contd...

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