Fundamental Concept of Statistics - Introduction

 Fundamental Concept of Statistics

Introduction to statistics

The subject of Statistics, as it seems, is not a new discipline but it is as old as the human society itself. It origin can be traced to the old days when it was regarded as the science of ‘State –craft’. Initially, the concept of statistics started with concept of data collection and something like ‘Political arithmetic’. The king used to collect the information about the people in their states, i.e., they used to collect the data regarding conditions under which people live and work, their health, their incomes and wealth. So, this subject developed as a ‘King’s subject’ or ‘a science of Kings’. The word ‘Statistics’ seems to have been derived from the Latin word ‘status’ or the Italian word ‘statista’ or the German word ‘statistik’ each of which means ‘political state’.

Most of the work in the statistical theory during the past few decades can be attributed to a single person Sir Ronald. A Fisher who applied statistics to a variety of diversified fields such as genetics, biometry, psychology and education, agriculture, etc and who is rightly termed as the Father of Statistics. ‘R.A. Fisher is the real giant in the development of the theory of statistics’.

In general, Statistics is a branch of mathematics which deals with collection, classification, analysis and interpretation of data.

Definition

Statistics has been defined differently by different authors from time to time. Statistics has been defined two ways. Some writers define it as ‘statistical data’ i.e., numerical statements of facts, while other define it as ‘statistical methods’.

Statistics as numerical data – some definitions

1.      “Statistics are numerical statement of facts in any department of enquity placed in relation to each other”.                  ---Bowley.

2.      “By Statistics we mean quantitative data affected to a market extent by multiplicity of causes”.                ---Yule and Kendall.

 

Statistics as statistical methods – some definitions 

1.      “Statistics is the science of estimates and probabilities”. ----- Boddington

2.      “Statistics is the science of art of handling aggregate of facts – observing, enumeration, recording, classifying and otherwise systematically treating them”.   ----Harlow