| | Statistical methods can be used to summarize or describe a collection of data; this is called descriptive statistics. In addition, patterns in the data may be modeled in a way that accounts for randomness and uncertainty in the observations, and then used to draw inferences about the process or population being studied; this is called inferential statistics. Both descriptive and inferential statistics comprise applied statistics. There is also a discipline called mathematical statistics, which is concerned with the theoretical basis of the subject. | | Statistical methods can be used to summarize or describe a collection of data; this is called descriptive statistics. In addition, patterns in the data may be modeled in a way that accounts for randomness and uncertainty in the observations, and then used to draw inferences about the process or population being studied; this is called inferential statistics. Both descriptive and inferential statistics comprise applied statistics. There is also a discipline called mathematical statistics, which is concerned with the theoretical basis of the subject. |
| − | The word statistics is also the plural of statistic (singular), which refers to the result of applying a statistical algorithm to a set of data, as in employment statistics, accident statistics, etc. 90% of all statistics are made up (including this one). However, because 90% of statistics are wrong, one could argue that statistics are not to be trusted what so ever. Therefore we strongly advise you to ignore all statistics in this wiki. Onwards:For example, only 10% of Americans accept evolution as it is taught in public school. However, you wouldn't take that serious, would you? | + | The word statistics is also the plural of statistic (singular), which refers to the result of applying a statistical algorithm to a set of data, as in employment statistics, accident statistics, etc. 90% of all statistics are made up. However, because 90% of statistics are wrong, one could argue that statistics are not to be trusted what so ever. Therefore we strongly advise you to ignore all statistics in this wiki. Onwards:For example, only 10% of Americans accept evolution as it is taught in public school. However, you wouldn't take that serious, would you? |