Question

Explain the characteristics of statistics. (point wise)​

Answer 1

Answer:

1. Statistics are Aggregate of Facts:

Only those facts which are capable of being studied in relation to time, place or frequency can be called statistics. Individual, single or unconnected figures are not statistics because they cannot be studied in relation to each other. Due to this reason, only aggregate of facts e.g., data relating to I.Q. of a group of students, academic achievement of students, etc. are called statistics and are studied in relation to each other.

2. Statistics are Affected to a marked Extent by Multiplicity, of Causes:

Statistical data are more related to social sciences and as such, changes are affected to a combined effect of many factors. We cannot study the effect of a particular cause on a phenomenon. It is only in physical sciences that individual causes can be traced and their impact is clearly known. In statistical study of social sciences, we come to know the combined effect of multiple causes.

For example, deterioration of achievement score in academic sphere of some students may not be only due to lack of interest in school subjects, but may also due to lack of motivation, effective teaching methods, attitude of the students on school subjects, faulty scoring procedure, etc.

Similarly scores on memory test of a group certainly depend on meaningfulness of learning materials, maturation of the students, methods of learning, motivation, interest of the students, etc.

3. Statistics are Numerically Expressed:

Qualitative phenomena which cannot be numerically expressed, cannot be described as statistics e.g. honesty, goodness, ability, etc. But if we assign numerical expression, it maybe described as ‘statistics’.

4. Statistics are Enumerated or estimated according to Reasonable Standards of Accuracy:

The standard of estimation and of accuracy differs from enquiry to enquiry or from purpose to purpose. There cannot be one standard of uniformity for all types of enquiries and for all purposes. A single student cannot be ignored while calculating I.Q. of 100 students in group whereas 10 soldiers can be easily ignored while finding out I.Q. of soldiers of whole country.