ELEMENTARY STATISTICS 1

UNIT 1
WHAT IS STATISTICS
Data:
Facts and figures which are systematically arranged for an analysis are called data.
Definition of Statistics:
Statistics is a science which deals with the collection, presentation, analysis and
conclusion of data.
Population:
The aggregate of objects having some common characteristics is called as
Population.
OR
The total group related with our study is called Population.
e.g All students of Punjab University Lahore, All books in Quaid-E-Azam library Lahore, Lot
of animals etc.
Sample:
A representative subset or part of the population is called as Sample.
e.g Doctor takes a small quantity of blood for an analysis.
Parameter:
A numerical value calculated from population is called as Parameter. Parameter is
fixed or constant value. Parameter is usually denoted by Greek letters such as; Mean = µ,
S.D = σ etc.
Statistic:
A numerical value calculated from sample is called as Statistic. Statistic is a
random variable because it varies from sample to sample. Statistic is usually denoted by Latin
letters such as ; Mean = X , S.D = S etc.
Branches of Statistics:
(i) Descriptive Statistics (ii) Inferential Statistics
(i) Descriptive statistics:
It deals with the methods of collecting, presenting and summarizing the data in an
informative way.
(ii) Inferential Statistics:
It deals with the methods of drawing conclusion about the population by using the
information of a sample.
Constant:
A characteristic (quantity) which remains fixed from individual to individual is called
a constant.
e.g e = 2.718281828 is constant value etc.

SUBJECT CODE: STAT-211, STAT-321

ELEMENTARY STATISTICS 2

Variable:
A characteristic which varies either in quantity or in quality from individual to
individual is called as variable.
e.g age is a variable as it varies form person to person. etc.
Types of Variables:
There are two types of variables.
(i) Quantitative Variables.
(ii) Qualitative Variables (Attributes)
(i) Quantitative Variable:
A characteristic which can be measured numerically is called as Quantitative variable
or simply a variable.
e.g age, weight, income, no of children etc.
(ii) Qualitative Variable or Attribute:
A characteristic which cannot be measured numerically but can be described by its
presence or absence is called as Qualitative variable or Attribute. e.g. Gender, eye
colour, habits, poverty etc.
Types of Quantitative Variable:
There are two types of Quantitative Variables.
(i) Discrete variables (ii) Continuous variable
(i) Discrete Variable:
A variable which takes values with gaps or jumps is called Discrete variable.
OR
A countable variable is called as Discrete variable.
e.g the number of students, number of road accidents, shoe sizes etc.
(ii) Continuous Variable:
A variable which can take any value within a given interval is called a Continuous
variable.
OR
A measurable variable is called as Continuous variable.
e.g All Heights between 2 and 3 meters, weight of students, etc.
Error of Measurement:
The difference between the observed (measured) and true (actual) value of continuous
variable is known as error of measurement.
Significant Digits:
The significant digits in a number are those that represent accurate and meaningful
information. For example, the number 45 representing a continuous variable has two
significant digits.

SUBJECT CODE: STAT-211, STAT-321

ELEMENTARY STATISTICS 3

Univariate Data:
If the observations are measured by one variable in the same units is called as Univariate
data. As a Univariate data set consists of observations on a single variable.
Bivariate Data:
If the observations are measured by two variables simultaneously that can be expressed in
different units is called as Bivariate data.
Multivariate Data:
If the observations are measured by more than two variables simultaneously that can be
expressed by different units is called as Multivariate data.
Primary Data:
Data that have been originally collected (raw data) OR the first hand data are called as
Primary data.
Sources for Collection of Primary Data:
Primary data can be collected through any one or more than one of the following
methods.
(i) Direct Personal Investigation
(ii) Indirect Personal Interviews
(iii) Registration
(iv) Investigation through Mailed Questionnaires
(v) Collection through Enumerators
Secondary Data:
Data collected by someone other than the user are called as Secondary data.
Sources for Collection of Secondary Data:
The Secondary data may be collected from the following sources;
(i) Official Sources
(ii) Semi-official Sources
(iii) Private sources
(iv) Journals Sources
(v) Research Organizations Sources
Data Editing:
Data should be edited before being presented as information. This action ensures that
the information provided is accurate, complete and consistent. No matter what type of data
you are working with, certain edits are performed on all surveys. Data editing can be
performed manually, with the assistance of computer programming, or a combination of both
techniques. It depends on the medium (electronic, paper) by which the data are submitted.
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SUBJECT CODE: STAT-211, STAT-321