INTRODUCTION Statistics means numerical description to most people.Infact, the term statistics is generally used to mean numerical facts and figures such as per capita income, agricultural production during a year, rate of inflation and so on. Statistics refers to the body of principles and procedures developed for the collection, classification, summarization and interpretation of numerical data and for the use of such data.

ORIGIN OF STATISTICS The term statistics has its origin in latin word Status, Italian word Statista or German term Statistik

MEANING The term statistics used in two senses 1. PLURAL SENSE- The term statistics refers to numerical statements of facts relating to any field of enquiry such as data relating to production, income, expenditure, population, prices, etc.The term statistics in its plural sense refers to numerical data or statistical data. 2. SINGULAR SENSE-The term statistics refers to a science in which we deal with the techniques or methods for collecting, classifying, presenting, analysing and interpreting the data. The concept in its singular sense, refers to statistical methods.

DEFINITIONS  Definitions in the Plural sense  Definitions in the Singular sense

Definitions in the Plural sense “Statistics are numerical statements of facts in any department of enquiry placed in relation to each other.” - --Bowley “By Statistics we mean aggregate of facts affected to a extend by multiplicity of causes numerically expressed, enumerated or estimated according to reasonable standards of accuracy, collected in a systematic manner for a pre-determined purpose and placed in relation to each other”

FEATURES OR CHARATERISTICS IN TERMS OF NUMERICAL DATA  Aggregate of Facts  Numerically Expressed  Affected by Multiplicity of Causes  Placed in Relation to each other  Pre-determined Purpose  Enumerated or Estimation  Collected in Systematic Manner

Definitions in the Singular sense “Statistics may be defined as the collection, presentation, analysis and interpretation of numerical data.” --- Croxten and Cowden “Statistics is the science which deals with deals with the methods of collecting, classifying, presenting, comparing and interpretating numerical data collected to throw some light on any sphere of enquiry.”

FEATURES OR CHARATERISTICS IN TERMS OF STATISTICAL METHODS  Collection of Data  Organisation of Data  Presentation of Data  Analysis of Data  Interpretation of Data

SCOPE OF STATISTICS The scope of statistics may be classified in the following parts: 1. NATURE 2. SUBJECT MATTER --Descriptive Statistics --Inferential Statistics 3. LIMITATIONS

FUNCTIONS Expression of facts in numbers Simple Presentation Enlarges Individual Knowledge and Experience It Compares Facts It Facilitates Policy Formulation It Helps Other Sciences in Testing their laws It Establishes Relationship between Facts It helps in Forecasting It Enables Realisation of Magnitude Presentation of Data in Condensed Form

USES AND IMPORTANCE OF STATISTICS  Importance for Administration / administration  Importance for Businessman or Industrialist or Agriculturist/ Business, Industry, Agriculture  Importance in Economics  Importance for Politicians/ political fields  Importance for Social Reformer/ Social Field  Importance in the Field of Science and Research  Importance for Banking  Importance for Insurance Companies  Importance in the field of Education  Importance for Economic Planning

LIMITATIONS OF STATISTICS 1. Study of Numerical Facts only 2. Study of Aggregates only 3. Not the only Method 4. Homogeneity of Data 5. Results are true only on an Average 6. Without Reference Results may Prove Wrong 7. Can be used only by Experts 8. Misuse of Statistics is Possible 9. Only Means and not a Solution

DISTRUCT OF STATISTICS In the words of Disraeli,” There are three kinds of lies- lies,danned lies and statistics.” Statistics is a rainbow of lies. Statistics are tissues of falsehood. Statistics can prove anything Statistics cannot prove anything. Statistics are like clay of which you can make god or devil, as you please.