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 coefficient 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 precisely, in mathematical statistics, and in general usage, a statistic is defined as any measurable function of the data sample [2]. A data sample is regarded as instances of a random variable of interest such as a height, weight, polling results, test performance, and so on, obtained by random sampling of a population.

See also

References

  1. Guilford, J.P., Fruchter, B. (1978). Fundamental statistics in psychology and education. New York: McGraw-Hill.
  2. Shao, J. (2003). Mathematical Statistics (2 ed.). ser. Springer Texts in Statistics, New York: Springer-Verlag, p. 100.