Question

Statistics is its own language. In fact, it is often called the language of science. Why do you think it is called the language of science? What does it mean to be statistically literate? Why is it important to be statistically literate?

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Answer 1

The meaning of statistics.

As a plural noun it is used for denoting and referring to numerical and quantitative information, e.g labor statistics, vital statistics and so on. As a singular noun, the term statistics is used to denote the Science of collecting, analysing and interpreting numerical data relating to an aggregate of individuals.

Is Statistics a Science ?
Any science has for its objective the formulation of laws for explaining phenomena in some part of the real word. In other sciences like physics, Chemistry, etc, scientists used to look at things from a deterministic view point. It is important to note that statistics is not a science in the sense of physics or chemistry or biology.

Let us examine the definition by Kendall.
"Statistics is the branch of scientific methods which deals with the data obtained by counting or measuring the properties of populations natural phenomena". In this definition, 'natural phenomena' includes all the happenings of the external world, whether human or not.

Now, in studying the characteristics of a group, the variation inherent in it has to be taken into account. Statistics has therefore, been called the study of variation. Indeed, a group without any variation and any uncertainty, one whose members are following some deterministic law, is of no interest to statistics.

Hence, statistics is the science which deals with the Collection classification and tabulation of numerical facts as a tour for the explanation, description and comparison of phenomena

It has also to be remembered that a statistician is not interested solely in the grout) characteristics of the individuals on hand and he would rather like to have inferences beyond data. A principal task of statistics is therefore, the inference of the numerical features of the population from those of a Simple. Therefore the inferences in statistics is the problem of classical inductive logic, but the induction has to be achieved within a probabilistic framework.

Why Statistically literate is important : To prevent Distrust and Misuses.

Some people think that the inferences based on statistical data are very reliable as numbers cannot be false while others do not trust statistical results at all. According to the non-believers these numerals are the tissues of falsehood as Disreali said, "There are three degrees of lies- lies, damned lies and Statistics". This is an erroneous belief, though there have been cases people have cited figures in support of their arguments which were wrong and which accounts for this stigma for Statistics. A cautious and statistics literate man will first try to analyse and find out how far the figures cited in support of any argument are satisfactory. Statistics is misused either deliberately or often due to the lack of knowledge. Frequently Conclusions are based on figures which are incomplete, or quoted are without their context or collected for some other purpose or are unrepresentative. Such conclusions are bound to be misleading and false. This can be very well supported by the statement: "Blindly using any data that happen to be available can lead to misleading and bad decision". Deliberate manipulation and personal bias also produce false arguments based on figures. Statistics are not to be blamed for all this. That is why one should learn statistics thoroughly before implementation. You have to keep in mind that statistical conclusion may not be exact or perfect but statistics has the ability to give answers atleast to those questions where other subjects fail to project any trustworthy conclusion. That is why it is important to be statistically literate.