LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY
LAGOS, NIGERIA
COURSE: CONCEPT OF STATISTICS
DEFINITION AND CONCEPT OF STATISTICS
A study of data based on natural phenomenon. It is also the organization and summarization of
data which making inference about an entire population using a fraction or part of the
population called SAMPLE. Generally, we define statistics as a study of the theories and
methods of data collection, organization, presentation, analyzing, interpretation and utilization
of the results.
ASPECTS OF STATISTICS
DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS: this is concerned with summary, calculations and graphical
representation of data. For example, mean, median, mode and the range of a data set.
Examples of Graphical representation: Histogram, Bar-chart, Pie-chart, Pax parts, Ogive curve
and frequency polygon.
INFERENTIAL STATISTICS: this is an aspect of statistics that is concerned with making inference
about an entire population using the sample of the population.
PROBABILITY OR INDUCTIVE STATISTICS: it is concerned with the measurements of
uncertainties of events.
USES OF STATISTICS
i. Physical Sciences: Statistics can be used to determine whether or not experimental
findings can be incorporated into the general body of knowledge. For example, testing
of hypothesis.
LAGOS, NIGERIA
COURSE: CONCEPT OF STATISTICS
DEFINITION AND CONCEPT OF STATISTICS
A study of data based on natural phenomenon. It is also the organization and summarization of
data which making inference about an entire population using a fraction or part of the
population called SAMPLE. Generally, we define statistics as a study of the theories and
methods of data collection, organization, presentation, analyzing, interpretation and utilization
of the results.
ASPECTS OF STATISTICS
DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS: this is concerned with summary, calculations and graphical
representation of data. For example, mean, median, mode and the range of a data set.
Examples of Graphical representation: Histogram, Bar-chart, Pie-chart, Pax parts, Ogive curve
and frequency polygon.
INFERENTIAL STATISTICS: this is an aspect of statistics that is concerned with making inference
about an entire population using the sample of the population.
PROBABILITY OR INDUCTIVE STATISTICS: it is concerned with the measurements of
uncertainties of events.
USES OF STATISTICS
i. Physical Sciences: Statistics can be used to determine whether or not experimental
findings can be incorporated into the general body of knowledge. For example, testing
of hypothesis.
