Statistics · 3 min read

Meaning of Statistics

Statistics is simply the way we gather information, study it, and arrange it so we can understand what it is telling us.

Statistics is the study of the collection, analysis, presentation, organization and interpretation of data.

It means looking at facts or numbers to see the message they are giving us.

Examples of Statistics

These are ways we use statistics in real life:

In a recent survey of the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (J.A.M.B) Examination, 52% of the aspirants prefer the University of Lagos to other Institutions.

A recent survey carried out shows that 55% of Arts student fail Literature in SSCE than any other subjects.

Basics of Statistics

There are two main groups we study in statistics:

1. Measure of central tendencies

These are ways to find the middle or center of a group of numbers.

Mean

Median

Mode

2. Measure of dispersions

These show how much the numbers spread out or how far they are from the middle.

Range

Variance

Standard deviation

Mean deviation

Key points

•Statistics involves the collection, analysis, presentation, organization, and interpretation of data.
•Examples of statistics include survey results like JAMB preferences or SSCE subject failure rates.
•Key measures of central tendency are Mean, Median, and Mode.
•Key measures of dispersion are Range, Variance, Standard Deviation, and Mean Deviation.