Statistics theory

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Statistics refers first to a branch of mathematics that specializes in enumeration data and their relation to measured data. It may also refer to a fact of classification, which is the chief source of all statistics.

In the singular, a statistic refers to a derived numerical value, such as a mean, a coeffecient of correlation, or some other single descriptive concept. It may also refer to an idea of an average, such as a median, or standard deviation, or a value computed from a set of data. [1]

More generally, a statistic can be any measure within a data sample. This would be some quantification of a random variable, or variables, of interest, such as a height, weight, polling results, test performance, and so on.

See also

References

  1. Guilford, J.P., Fruchter, B. (1978). Fundamental statistics in psychology and education. New York: McGraw-Hill.