Definition of Statistics:

Statisticians have defined the term in different ways.

Some of the definitions are given below:

Longman Dictionary:
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Statistics is a collection of numbers which represent facts or measurement.

Webster:
‘Statistics are the classified facts representing the conditions of the people in a state
especially those facts which can be stated in numbers or in tables of numbers of in any
tabular or classified arrangements.

A.L. Bowley:
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Statistics are numerical statements of facts in any department of enquiry placed in

relation to each other.

H. Sacrist:
“By statistics we mean aggregate of facts affected to a marked extent by
multiplicity of causes, numerically expressed, enumerated or estimated
according to reasonable standard of accuracy, collected in a systematic
manner for a predetermined purpose and placed in relation to each other.”
From the above definitions it can be said that statistics is:
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a. Numerical facts which can be measured enumerated and estimated.

b. Facts are homogeneous and related to each other.

c. Facts must be accurate.

d. It must be collected systematically.

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Lovitt:
“Statistics is that which deals with the collection, classification and
tabulation of numerical facts as the basis for explanation, description and
comparison of phenomena.”
Function of Statistics:
Statistics has a numerous functions to do.

The following points explain the functions of statistics in summary:

1. It helps in collecting and presenting the data in a systematic manner.

2. It helps to understand unwisely and complex data by simplifying it.

3. It helps to classify the data.

4. It provides basis and techniques for making comparison.

5. It helps to study the relationship between different phenomena.

6. It helps to indicate the trend of behaviour.

7. It helps to formulate the hypothesis and test it.

8. It helps to draw rational conclusions.

Statistics in Education:
Measurement and evaluation are essential part of teaching learning process. In this
process we obtained scores and then interpret these score in order to take decisions.
Statistics enables us to study these scores objectively. It makes the teaching learning
process more efficient.

The knowledge of statistics helps the teacher in the following way:

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1. It helps the teacher to provide the most exact type of description:

When we want to know about the pupil we administer a test or observe the child. Then
from the result we describe about the pupil’s performance or trait. Statistics helps the
teacher to give an accurate description of the data.
2. It makes the teacher definite and exact in procedures and thinking:
Sometimes due to lack of technical knowledge the teachers become vague in describing
pupil’s performance. But statistics enables him to describe the performance by using
proper language, and symbols. Which make the interpretation definite and exact.

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3. It enables the teacher to summarize the results in a meaningful and

convenient form:
Statistics gives order to the data. It helps the teacher to make the data precise and
meaningful and to express it in an understandable and interpretable manner.

4. It enables the teacher to draw general conclusions:

Statistics helps to draw conclusions as well as extracting conclusions. Statistical steps
also help to say about how much faith should be placed in any conclusion and about how
far we may extend our generalization.

5. It helps the teacher to predict the future performance of the pupils:

Statistics enables the teacher to predict how much of a thing will happen under
conditions we know and have measured. For example the teacher can predict the
probable score of a student in the final examination from his entrance test score. But the
prediction may be erroneous due to different factors. Statistical methods tell about how
much margin of error to allow in making predictions.

6. Statistics enables the teacher to analyse some of the causal factors

underlying complex and otherwise be-wildering events:
It is a common factor that the behavioural outcome is a resultant of numerous causal
factors. The reason why a particular student performs poor in a particular subject are
varied and many. So with the appropriate statistical methods we can keep these
extraneous variables constant and can observe the cause of failure of the pupil in a
particular subject.

Important Concepts in Statistics:

Data:
Data may be defined as information obtained from a survey, an experiment or an
investigation.
Score:
Score is the numerical evaluation of the performance of an individual on a test.

Continuous Series:
Continuous series is a series of observations in which the various possible values of the
variable may differ by infinitesimal amounts. In the series it is possible to occur at any
intermediate value within the range of the series.

Discrete Series:
Discrete series is a series in which the values of a variable are arranged according to
magnitude or to some ordered principles. In this series it is not possible to occur at any
intermediate value within the range. The example of such is merit, number of persons or
census data.

Variable:
Any trait or quality which has the ability to vary or has at least two points of
measurement. It is the trait that changes from one case or condition to another.

Variability:
The spread of scores, usually indicated by quartile deviations, standard deviations,
range etc.

Frequency:
Frequency may be defined as the number of occurrences of any given value or set of
values. For example 8 students have scored 65. So that the score 65 has a frequency of 8.

Frequency Distribution:
It is a tabulation showing the frequencies of the values of a variable when these values
are arranged in order of magnitude.

Correlation:
Correlation means the interdepended between two or more random variables. It may be
stated as the tendency for corresponding observation in two or more series to vary
together from the averages of their respective series, that is, to have similar relative
position.
If corresponding observations tend to have similar relative positions in their respective
series, the correlation is positive; if the corresponding values tend to be divergent in
position in their respective series, the correlation is negative; absence of any systematic
tendency for the corresponding observations to be either similar or dissimilar in their
relative positions indicated zero correlation.

Coefficient:
It is a statistical constant that is independent of the unit of measurement.

Coefficient of correlation:
It is a pure number, limited by the values + 1.00 and —1.00 that expresses the degree of
relationship between two continuous variables