Statistical Descrlptlon of CH: 1.2.1 Definitions of "Statistics in Plural Form or Numerical Data"
Statistical Descrlptlon of CH: 1.2.1 Definitions of "Statistics in Plural Form or Numerical Data"
Data
1.1 INTRODUCTION
The word 'Statistics' has been derived from the Latin word 'Status' which means a political
state. It has also its root either to the Italian word 'Statista' or the Germanword 'Statistik' each
one of which means a political state. For several decades, the word 'statistics' was associated
solely with the display of facts and figures pertaining to the economic, demographic and political
situations plevailing in a country, usually, collected and brought out by the local governments.
Statistics is a tool in the hands of mankind to translate complexfacts into simple and
understandable statements offacts.
1.2 MEANING AND DEFINITION OF STATISTICS
Meaning of Statistics. The word Statistics is used in two different senses — Plural and
Singular. In its plural form, it refers to the numerical data collected in a systematic manner with
some definite aim or object in view such as the number of persons suffering from malaria in
different colonies of Delhi or number of unemployed girls in different states of India and so on. In
singular form, the word statistics means the science of statistics that deals with the principles,
devices or statistical methods of collecting, analysing and interpreting numerical data.
Thus, 'statistics' when used in singular refers to that branch of knowledge which implies
Applied Mathematics.
The science of statistics is an old science and it has developed through ages. This science
has been defined in different ways by different authors and even the same author has defined it in
different ways on different occasions.
It is impossible to enumerate all the definitionsgiven to statistics both as "Numerical Data,
i.e., Plural Form" and "Statistical Methods, i.e., Singular Form". However,we have give below
some selected definitions of both the forms.
1.2.1 Definitions of "Statistics in Plural Form or NumericalData"
Different authors have given different definitions of statistics. Some of the definitionsof
statistics describing it quantitatively or in plural form are:
"Statistics are the classifiedfacts representingthe conditionsof the peoplein a state
numbers or in any tabular
especially those facts which can be Stated in number or in a table of Webster.
or classifiedarrangement."
of the people in a state.
This definition is narrow as it is confinedonly to the collection
convincing.It also brings out the
But the following definition given by Secrist is modern and
major characteristics of statistical data.
marked extent by multiplicityof
"By statistics we mean the aggregate offacts affected to a
to reasonable standards
causes, numerically expressed, enumerated or estimated according purpose and placed in
of accuracy collected in a systemqticmanner for a pre-determined
relation to each other."
1.1
1.2
Common Proficiency Test: Quantitative Aptitude (Statistics)
This definition
the following makes it clear that statistics
characteristics. (in pluralform or numerical data) should possess
l. Statistics are
ll. Statistics aggregate of facts
are affected by a large
Ill. Statistics number of causes
are always numerically
IV. Statistics expressed
should be enumerated or
V. Statistics estimated
should be collectedin a
VI. Statistics systematicmanner
should be collectedfor a
VIl. Statistics pre-determinedpurpose
should be Placed in relation
to each other
1.2.2 Statistics as
Statistical Methodsor Statistics in Singular Sense
We give below the definitions
methods. of statistics used in singular sense, i.e., statistics as statistical
Statistical methods provide a set of tools which can be profitably used by different sciences
in the manner they
deam fit. The term statisticsin this contexthas been defined differentlyby
different authors. A few
definitionsare given below:
"Statistics may be called the science
of counting."
.—-A.L. Bowley.
This definition covers only one aspect,
classification, tabulation, etc., have been
i.e., counting, but the other aspects such as
ignored. As such, the definition is inadequate and
incomplete.
"Statistics may be defined as the collection,presentation,analysis and
c numerical data." interpretation of
Male Female
Moreover, if the classification is done according to a single attribute it is also known as One-
way Classification.
Test: Quantitative A titude statistica
1.8 Common proficienc involve
more than one attributes are d
a classification where
2. Manifold Classification : It is
1.11 ODE OF PRESENTATIONOF DATA presentation of data.
modes of
is section we shall consider the following three
(a) Textual presentation;
(b) Tabular presentation or Tabulation;
(c) Diagrammatic presentation.
1.12 TEXTUAL PRESENTATION paragraph or a numberof
This method comprises presenting data with the help of a by textual Presentation.
paragraphs. The official report of an enquiry commissionis usually Blade
Following are the examples of textual presentation.
1,400 were for graduation
Example 1. In 1995, out of total of 2,000 students in a college,
and the rest for post-graduation (P. G.). Out of 1,400 Graduate students 100 were girls, however,
to 1,700
in all there were 600 girls in the college. In 2000, numberof graduate students increased
out of which 250 were girls, but the numberofP.G. studentsfall to 500 of which only 50 were
boys. In 2005, out of 800 girls 650 werefor graduation, whereas the total number of graduates
was 2,200. The number of boys and girls in P. G. classes was equal.
a
Example 2. Out of total number of 2,807 women, who were interviewed for employment in
textilefactory, 912 werefrom textile areas and the restfrom non-textile areas. Amongst the married
women, who belonged to textile areas, 347 were having some work experience and 173 did not have
work experience, while for non-textile areas the correspondingfigures were 199 and 670
respectively. The total number of womenhaving no experiencewas 1,841 of whom 311 residedin
textile areas. Of the total number of women,1,418were unmarried and of these the numberof
women having experience in the textile and non-textileareas was 254 and 166 respectively.
Body
Total
Foot Note: Source Note:
Number and Date : No. DC 1172/25/2/2006
Example 3. In 1995, out of total of 2,000 students in a college, 1,400 were for graduation
and the rest for Post-graduation (P.G.). Out of 1,400 Graduate students 100 were girls, however,
in all there were 600 girls in the college. In 2000, number of graduate students increased to
l, 700
out of which 250 were girls, but the number ofP.G. students fall to 500 of which only 50
were
boys. In 2005, out of 800 girls 650 were for graduation, whereas the total number of graduates
was 2,200. The number of boys and girls in P.G. classes was equal.
Represent the above information.in tabular form. Also calculate the percentage increase in
the number of graduate students in 2005 as compared to 1995.
Statistical Description of Data 1.11
Solution.
Table No. 1.2
Title : Students of a College according to Degree and Sex (1995 —2005)
62 18 80 16.00
Students
Membersof 12 2 14 20.00 28,000
teachingstaff
Membersof 6 6
non-teaching
Total 80 20 100