INTRODUCTION TO

STATISTICS
VEENA N H
STATISTICIAN IN COMMUNITY MEDICINE
AIMS
CONTENTS

 Definitions
 Characteristics of statistics
 Functions of statistics
 Presentation of data
 Arrangement of data
 Classification and tabulation
 ORIGIN AND GROWTH OF STATISTICS

 Latin – Status
 German – Statistik state political state
 French – Statistique

In India
 Registration of births – 300 BC
 Statistical survey - 1596
DEFINITIONS

 STATISTICS
Plural form
Numerical facts pertaining to a set of objects, a situation or a
phenomenon.
The word implies a set of numerical figures, usually obtained by measurement or
counting, Ex; Annual inpatients statistics, Annual out patients statistics. Etc.
Singular form
Statistics is the science of collection, presentation, analysis and
interpretation of numerical data (Croxton & Cowdon) Ex ; Monthly birth of
babys in Mandya District.
VITAL STATISTICS
It is the science applied to the analysis and interpretation of
numerical facts regarding vital events occurring in a human population.

BIO STATISTICS
Tools of statistics applied to the data that is derived from biological
sciences.
Biostatics also called biometry, the geek word Bio-(life) and matron (measured)
 Ex ; To fix the normal limits , To correlate two variable.
 HEALTH STATISTICS ,MEDICAL STATISTICS
CHARACTERISTICS OF STATISTICS
(Horace’s characteristics)
 Aggregate of facts
 Affected to a marked extent by multiplicity of causes
 Numerically expressed.
 Enumerated or estimated according to reasonable standards of accuracy
 Collected in a systematic manner
 Collected for a pre-determined purpose
 Placed in relation to each other.
FUNCTIONS OF STATISTICS

 Simplifies complexity of the data.

 Reduces the bulk of the data
 Helps in comparing different sets of figures
 Guides in the formulation of policies and helps in planning
 Indicates trends and tendencies.
 Helps in studying relationship between different factors.
PRESENTATION OF DATA

INTRODUCTION
 Datum means a measured or counted fact or piece of
information stated as a figure
 Data is a set of values recorded on one or more
observational units
 They are two types of sources of data
 1 primary sources 2 secondary sources
 Primary source of data are
1. Experiments
2. Surveys
METHODS OF COLLECTION OF PRIMARY
DATA
 Observation method.
 Interview method.
 Questionnaire method
 Information through correspondents.
 Method of schedule (collection through enumerators)
OBSERVATION METHOD

MERITS
 Reliable.
 Can collect additional information of interest.
 Independent of respondents’ willingness to respond.

DEMERITS
 Expensive and time consuming.
 Information provided by this method is limited.
 Used only when the number of units is less
 People who are rarely accessible creates obstacle.
 Bias present
INTERVIEW METHOD

MERITS
 Reliable, accurate and exhaustive.
 Investigator has the freedom to restructure the interview.
 Collection of addition information of interest.
 Non-response rate would be very low
 Does not require the respondents to be educated.
INTERVIEW METHOD (cont)

DEMERITS
 Expensive
 Time consuming and requires more labour.
 Requires training of interviewers.
 Difficult to contact and interview highly placed people.
 Bias present
INTERVIEW METHOD (cont)

DEMERITS
 Expensive
 Time consuming and requires more labour.
 Requires training of interviewers.
 Difficult to contact and interview highly placed people.
 Bias present
QUESTIONNAIRE METHOD (cont)

DEMERITS
 Data obtained may not be accurate.
 Non response rate would be high.
 Some informants may not return the questionnaire.
 Some of the questionnaires may be partially filled.
 Respondents need to be able to read the questions and write the answers.
METHOD OF SCHEDULE

MERITS
 Data collected is accurate and reliable.
 Useful when the informants are illiterate

DEMERITS
 Requires selection and training of enumerators.
 Expensive and time consuming
 Bias present
INFORMATION THROUGH
CORRESPONDENTS
MERITS
 Data is useful when the data are to be collected regularly for a long period of
time.

DEMERITS
 The validity of the data collected by this method depends on the integrity of
the correspondents.
 There is scope for bias.
Link for assignment

 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1EV1VtUCx4ld0jVB-
unlmCHd0_G37IvLwGlIiYXSCOAU/edit
THANK YOU