MEANING:
“Statistics”
has been derived from the Latin word ‘Status’ that means a group of numbers or
figures; those represent some information of our human interest. Although, in
the beginning it was used by Kings only for collecting information about states
and other information which was needed about their people, their number,
revenue of the state etc.
This
was known as the science of the state because it was used only by the Kings. So
it got its development as ‘Kings’ subject or ‘Science of Kings’ or we may call
it as “Political Arithmetic’s”. It was for the first time, perhaps in Egypt to
conduct census of population in 3050 B.C. because the king needed money to
erect pyramids. But in India, it is thought, that, it started dating back to
Chandra Gupta Maurya’s kingdom under Chankya to collect the data of births and
deaths. It has also been stated in Chankya’s Arthshastra.
But
now-a-days due to its nature, its scope has increased and widened. It is now
used in almost in all the fields of human knowledge and skills like Business,
Commerce, Economics, Social Sciences, Politics, Planning, Medicine and other
sciences, Physical as well as Natural.
DEFINITION:
The
term ‘Statistics’ has been defined in two senses, i.e. in Singular and in
Plural sense.
In the Plural Sense:
“Statistics
are numerical statements of facts in any department of enquiry placed in
relation to each other.” —A.L. Bowley
“The
classified facts respecting the condition of the people in a state—especially
those facts which can be stated in numbers or in tables of numbers or in any
tabular or classified arrangement.” —Webster
“By statistics we mean aggregates of facts
affected to a marked extent by multiplicity of causes, numerically expressed,
enumerated or estimated according to reasonable standard of accuracy, collected
in a systematic manner for a predetermined purpose, and placed in relation to
each other.”—Horace Sacrist
In the Singular Sense:
“Statistics
refers to the body of technique or methodology, which has been developed for
the collection, presentation and analysis of quantitative data and for the use
of such data in decision making.” —Ncttor and Washerman
“Statistics
may be defined as the collection, presentation, analysis, and interpretation of
numerical data.” —Croxton and Cowden
The
fact that in the modern world statistical methods is universally applicable. It
is in itself enough to show how important the science of statistics is.
Statistical methods are common ways of thinking and hence are used by all types
of persons.
(1)
Statistics in Planning:
Statistics
is essential in planning—may it be in business, economics or government level.
The modern age is termed as the ‘age of planning’ and almost all organisations
in the government or business or management are resorting to planning for
efficient working and for formulating policy decision.
(2) Statistics
in Mathematics:
Statistics
is intimately related to and essentially dependent upon mathematics. The modern
theory of Statistics has its foundations on the theory of probability which in
turn is a particular branch of more advanced mathematical theory of Measures
and Integration. Ever increasing role of mathematics into statistics has led to
the development of a new branch of statistics called Mathematical Statistics.
(3)
Statistics in Economics:
Statistics
and Economics are so intermixed with each other that it looks foolishness to
separate them. Development of modern statistical methods has led to an
extensive use of statistics in Economics. All the important branches of
Economics—consumption, production, exchange, distribution, public finance—use statistics
for the purpose of comparison, presentation, interpretation, etc.
(4)
Statistics in Social Sciences:
Every
social phenomenon is affected to a marked extent by a multiplicity of factors
which bring out the variation in observations from time to time, place to place
and object to object. Statistical tools of Regression and Correlation Analysis
can be used to study and isolate the effect of each of these factors on the
given observation.
(5)
Statistics in Trade:
Statistics
is a body of methods to make wise decisions in the face of uncertainties.
Business is full of uncertainties and risks. We have to forecast at every step.
Speculation is just gaining or losing by way of forecasting. The future trend
of the market can only be expected if we make use of statistics. Failure in
anticipation will mean failure of business.
(6)
Statistics in Research Work:
The
job of a research worker is to present the result of his research before the
community. The effect of a variable on a particular problem, under differing
conditions, can be known by the research worker only if he makes use of
statistical methods. Statistics are everywhere basic to research activities. To
keep alive his research interests and research activities, the researcher is
required to lean upon his knowledge and skills in statistical methods.
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