Ch. No.

1: Introduction to statistics

INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICS

The word “statistics” which comes from the Latin word status, meaning political state,
originally meant information useful to the state, for example, information about the sizes of
populations and armed forces.
The word statistics is used in the following three meanings
Statistics in Plural Sense: the word statistics refer to “numerical facts systematically arranged” for
instance, statistics of prices, statistics of roads accidents, statistics of births etc. in all these examples
the word statistics denotes a set of numerical data in the respective fields.
Statistics in Singular Sense: the word statistics is defined as a science of methods which are used in
collection, presentation, analysis and interpretation of numerical data. These methods are used when
we want to draw conclusions about the given phenomenon from the relevant data.
Statistics as Plural of Statistic: Statistic is any measure of the sample. The proportion of smokers in
a sample may be denoted by . It is a statistic. We can find the mean of the sample. It is also a
statistic. When we have more than one statistic, we shall use the word statistics as plural for statistic.
The sample mean and the sample proportion are the sample statistics.
“Statistics is defined as a discipline that includes collection, presentation, analysis and interpretation
of numerical data”.
Statistics as a subject may be divided in two types:
1. Descriptive Statistics
2. Inferential Statistics

Descriptive Statistics:
The branch of statistics that deals with the collection and presentation (in various forms, such
as tables, graphs, diagrams, averages and variances) of data is called Descriptive Statistics. For
example a cricket player wants to find his average score for the last 10 games; businessmen make use
of descriptive statistics in presenting their annual report.
Inferential Statistics;
The branch of statistics that deals with drawing inferences about population on the basis of
sample information is called inferential statistics. For example a cricket player wants to estimate his
chance of scoring based on his current season average.
Note: Estimation and testing of hypothesis are the parts of inferential statistics.

DR. AAMIR RAZA

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN STATISTICS
GOVT. COLLEGE WOMEN UNIVERSITY, SIALKOT Page 1 of 4
 Ch. No. 1: Introduction to statistics

Population:
A set of all possible observations relevant to the problem under study is called population e.g.
the number of bolts produced by a machine, the heights of all college students etc. Population size is
denoted by ‘N’.
Parameter:
A numerical quantity calculated from population is called parameter. Population mean µ and
population variance are the examples of parameter.
Sample:
A representative part of the population is called sample e.g. five bolts are selected as sample
from hundred bolts, we select a sample of twenty students to measure the height from all college
students. Sample size is denoted by ‘n’.

Statistic:
A numerical quantity calculated from sample is called statistic. A sample mean is the
example of statistic.
Ratio:
A ratio is a fraction. The ratio of A to B is A/B. In 500 males, there are 100 smokers and the
remaining 400 are non-smokers, then smokers, non-smokers ratio is 100/400.
Proportion:
The ratio of a part to total is called proportion. In 500 males, there are 100 smokers, and then
proportion of smokers is 100/500.
Note: proportion becomes percentage when multiplied by 100. The percentage of smokers is

%.

Experiment:
Experiment means a planned activity or process whose results yield a set of data. Tossing a
coin two times is the example of experiment.
Order Statistic:
Arrangement of data in order of magnitude is called order statistic.
Model:
A model is a mathematical statement used in studying the results of an experiment or
predicting the behavior of future repetitions of the experiments. A simple model is given below

Where represents the individual observation, denotes the population mean and denotes random
error.

DR. AAMIR RAZA

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN STATISTICS
GOVT. COLLEGE WOMEN UNIVERSITY, SIALKOT Page 2 of 4
 Ch. No. 1: Introduction to statistics

Random error:
A random error is the difference between the observation and true value as .
Mistake:
A mistake is a wrong calculation in presentation and analyzing data or human error. Let us
consider the calculation 8+2-1=5. The answer is wrong and it could be described as a mistake.

Data:
Data is defined as the collection of any number of related observations. For example, the
record regarding the students at the time of admission may consist of age, sex, marks and hobbies etc.
such recorded observations are known as data.
Note: The word data is used for numerical facts and single numerical fact is datum.

Sources of Data:
There are two main sources for collection of data
1) Primary Data: Data that have been originally collected (raw data) and have not been undergone
any sort of statistical treatment called primary data.
Sources of Primary Data:
There are different methods for collection of primary data
i) Direct Personal Observations
ii) Indirect Oral Investigation
iii) Collection through Questionnaires
iv) Through Investigators
v) Collection through Local Sources
vi) Through Telephone
vii) Through Internet

2) Secondary Data: Data that have been undergone any sort of treatment by statistical methods at
least once i.e. The data have been collected, classified, tabulated or presented in some form for a
certain purpose, is called secondary data.
Sources of Secondary Data:
Secondary data can be obtained from following sources
i) Government organizations
ii) Semi- Government organizations
iii) Teaching and research organizations
iv) Research Journals
v) Newspapers
vi) Internet
DR. AAMIR RAZA
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN STATISTICS
GOVT. COLLEGE WOMEN UNIVERSITY, SIALKOT Page 3 of 4
 Ch. No. 1: Introduction to statistics

Constant:
Any value that does not change but remain fixed is called a Constant. For example, the
number of days in a week, the number of months in a year and ∏ =3.14159, ℮=2.71828 etc.
Variable:
A characteristic that varies from an individual to individual or object is called Variable. For
example weight of individuals, prices of goods, number of children in a family. A variable is usually
denoted by last letters X, Y or Z etc.
There are two types of variable:
1. Quantitative variable
2. Qualitative variable
Quantitative variable:
A variable that can be measured numerically is called Quantitative variable. For example,
heights, weights, ages, number of students in different colleges and marks of students etc.
Quantitative variable further classified in two types
i. Discrete variable
ii. Continuous variable

Discrete Variable:
A variable that takes countable number of values is called discrete variable. For example,
Number of children in a family, Number of student in a class, Number of rooms in a house etc.

Continuous Variable:
A variable that takes measurable values is called Continuous Variable. For example, heights,
weights, ages, speed of a car, blood pressures etc.
Qualitative or Categorical variable:
A variable that cannot be measured numerically but only its presence and absence can be
assessed for an object is called qualitative variable. For example, beauty, poverty, color, intelligence,
satisfaction, likeness etc.

DR. AAMIR RAZA

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN STATISTICS
GOVT. COLLEGE WOMEN UNIVERSITY, SIALKOT Page 4 of 4