DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS Meaning and
Definition
-
Descriptive statistics refers to the branch of statistics that involves the analysis, interpretation, and presentation of data in a concise and meaningful manner. It aims to summarize and describe the main features and characteristics of a given dataset using various measures and techniques.
In this field, researchers employ various statistical measures to understand and interpret data. These measures include measures of central tendency, such as the mean, median, and mode, which indicate the average or typical value of a dataset. Moreover, measures of dispersion, such as the range, standard deviation, and variance, provide insight into the degree of spread or variability within the data.
Descriptive statistics also include graphical representations, such as histograms, bar charts, and scatter plots, which visually display the distribution and relationships within the data. These visual tools can enhance understanding and facilitate comparison across different groups or variables.
Furthermore, this field of statistics encompasses the calculation and analysis of percentiles, quartiles, and other percentiles that divide the data into meaningful subsets, allowing researchers to explore the distribution and identify any outliers or extreme values.
Descriptive statistics play a vital role in summarizing data, revealing patterns, and presenting important information for decision-making purposes. It serves as the foundation for further statistical analyses and inference, as it helps to comprehend the characteristics of a dataset before diving into more complex statistical methods. Overall, descriptive statistics serves as a crucial tool for researchers, economists, social scientists, and professionals from various fields who aim to derive meaningful insights from data.
Etymology of DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS
The term "descriptive statistics" is derived from two main components: "descriptive" and "statistics".
1. Descriptive: The word "descriptive" is derived from the Latin term "describere", which means "to write down" or "to represent something in words". The prefix "de-" indicates "down" or "intensive", while "scribere" means "to write". Ultimately, "descriptive" refers to the action of depicting or conveying detailed information or characteristics of something.
2. Statistics: The term "statistics" originates from the Latin phrase "statisticum collegium", meaning "council of state". In Italian, it evolved into "statista" (statesman) and "statistica" (state affairs). By the 18th century, "statistics" came to refer to the collection, analysis, presentation, and interpretation of numerical data pertaining to diverse subjects.
