What is Statistics? Definition, Characteristics, Limitations

Statistics

Definitions of Statistics

Statistics has been defined differently by different authors and each author has assigned new limits to the field which should be included in its scope. We are giving some selected definition which is more helpful to understand the concept of Statistics.

In the words of Croxton &Cowden, “Statistics may be defined as the collection, presentation, analysis, and interpretation of numerical data”

According to Horace Secrist

“By statistics, we mean aggregates of facts affected to a marked extent by a multiplicity of causes numerically expressed, enumerated or estimated according to reasonable standards of accuracy collected in a systematic manner for a pre-determined purpose and placed in relation to each other”

These definitions make it quite clear that Statistics is a numerical statement of facts.

Characteristics of Statistics

Above definitions Statistics should possess these characteristics.

1. Statistics are aggregate of facts

If any incident happened like a road accident. If we collect data about that accident this means we collect facts there. It is not collecting single data like the age of a single person or marks of a single student. It is a collection of data of series like birth-death data of series.
If we collect data about how many boy children and girl child have some problem with birth. This means we are collecting some facts. So we can say that Statistics are aggregate of facts.

2. Statistics are numerically expressed

Qualitative phenomena which cannot be numerically expressed, cannot be described as statistics for example ability, goodness, honesty, etc. If we have to tell about the manager or other employees We can not say that he is 40 honest or 60 honest or he is 10 corrupt or 90 corrupt. But if we assign numerical expression, it may be described as ‘statistics’.we can say that we got a profit of 40,000 or 50,000 after assigning him. Or we can say that we got lost of 50,000. So Statistics is all about facts and figures.

3. Statistics are Collected in a Systematic Manner:

In order to have a reasonable standard of accuracy statistics must be collected in a very systematic manner. Any rough and wrong method of collection will not be desirable for that may lead to the improper and wrong conclusion. So we should collect data in a systematic manner and step by step according to a particular standard.

4.Statistics for a Pre-determined Purpose:

We must have a purpose before starting the work of collection. Data collected without any purpose is of no use. Suppose we want to know the cause of an accident, we must not collect data relating to Age, color, and Gender. We should collect data that actually can affect the accident and can be the cause of the accident.  If we want to see a comparison of marks related to last year of students in a particular class then we will collect data of last year marks and current year marks and we can compare easily. Without having a clear idea about the purpose we will not be in a position to distinguish between relevant data and irrelevant data or necessary data and unnecessary data.

5. Statistics are Capable of being Placed in Relation to each other:

Statistics must be comparable to each other. If we are collecting data related to population than we can compare the current population with last year population. But we can not compare these data with other things like people intelligence or Progress of students in a particular classroom because these data are irrelevant. So if we want to compare between two or more data than data should have relation to each other then only we can compare these data.

Limitations of Statistics

There are some limitations of Statistics which are as follows

1. It Does not study individual

Statistics do not study the individual item, it deals with aggregates. we can not study the improvement level of the student in a particular classroom by collect data of only one student or data of one time of period. We need to collect data of every student of the classroom and also we need to collect data of various time series.

2. Statistics is limited for numerical studies

Statistics is not suitable for the study of the qualitative phenomenon. For examples:- health, goodness, poverty, Honesty, and intelligence of a group of individuals, cannot be quantitatively measured, and thus are not suitable subjects for statistical study.

3. Statistics don't solve problems

Statistical methods are only means and not end for solving problems. It means Statistical methods gives you only cause or comparison or Problems. But you can not solve the problem with the statistical method.

4. Statistical laws are not exact

Statistical laws are not exact laws like mathematical or chemical laws. Statistical relies on estimates and approximations. They are derived by taking a majority of cases and are not true for every individual. Thus the statistical inferences are uncertain.

These are the characteristics and limitations of Statistics. Hope you will understand well. If you want to listen to Hindi lecture about this topic then you can watch the youtube video below or you can visit our youtube channel.