Statistics in Plural Sense
In a plural sense, Statistics means a systematic collection of numerical figures and facts for a specified purpose in a field of study. The major characteristics of statistics in the plural sense are:
- Numerically Expressed: Statistics includes only quantitative or numerical data. Qualitative facts like beauty, intelligence, kindness, etc., are not considered in statistics. Instead, they can be quantified by assigning a unit or score to them.
- Aggregate of Facts: This means that statistics can not be described as single or isolated figures, as they cannot be compared by a user.
- Placed in Relation to Each Other: In statistics, the data is usually collected for comparison. Therefore, to collect the comparable figures it is essential that the data is homogeneous.
- Pre-determined Purpose: The purpose of the study is pre-determined as it helps in the systematic collection and analysis of data and achieves accurate results.
- Reasonable Accuracy: The data collected in statistics is done through a reasonable standard of accuracy. It means that, unlike mathematics or accountancy, a high degree of accuracy is not insisted upon in this field.
- Affected by the Multiplicity of Causes: It means that no one reason affects the study of numerical facts or figures in statistics.
- Collected Systematically: To gain accurate and complete results from the study of statistics, it is essential to collect the data systematically.
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