Six basic Features of Statistics in the Plural Sense or Numerical Data

The basic features of statistics as a quantitative or numerical data run a follows: 1. Aggregate of Facts: Single or isolated figures are not considered to be statistics because such figures are unrelated and cannot be compared. A single figure of the boy of 26 years would not constitute statistics. It is just a numerical statement the fact. Statistical data are concrete numbers which represent objects 2. Systematically Arranged: A proper plan should be prepared before collecting the statistical data. Data collected in a haphazard manner would lead to false conclusions. Therefore, data should be collected in a systematic manner. 3. Statistics are Estimated or Enumerated: According to the feature of statistics, data can be enumerated or estimated. If the numerical statements are precise accurate, then they can be enumerated. Contrary to this, if the field of investigation large and beyond comprehension, then the estimation procedure can be adopted. 4. Statistics are numerically expressed: All statistics are expressed numerical figures i.e. expressed in numbers and related to quantitative information only. Qualitative characteristics do not come under statistics unless they are assigned cert; ranks as a quantitative measure of assessment. 5. Statistical Data Collected for a Pre Determined Purpose: Collected should be, for a pre determined purpose. The figures are collected with some goal objective in mind. Without any objective collected data will be useless. Thus, the purpose of collecting data must be decided in advance. 6. Placed in Relation to each other: Numerical information's must be mud related and comparable. In the absence of such a quality the statistics would se, purpose. For example, statistics related to number of children born, exports country, coal production etc. have no

relevance for statistical analysis.

Characteristics of Statistics
Statistics is a subject in its own right. It may therefore be desirable to know the characteristic feature of statistics in order to appreciate and understand its general nature. Some of its important characteristics are given below:

Statistics deals with the behavior of aggregates or large group of data. It has nothing to do with what is happening to a particular individual or object of the aggregate. Statistics deals with aggregates of observations of the same kind rather than isolated figures. Statistics deals with variability that obscures underlying patterns. No two objects in this universe are exactly alike. If they were, there would have been no statistical problem. Statistics deals with uncertainties as every process getting observations whether controlled or uncontrolled, involves deficiencies or chance variation. Thats why we have to talk in terms of probability. Statistics deals with those characteristics or aspects of things which can be describes numerically either by counts or by measurements. Statistics seals with those aggregates which are subject to a number of random causes, e.g. the heights of persons are subject to a number of causes such as rays, ancestry, age, diet, habits, climate and so forth. Statistical laws are valid on the average or in the long run. There is no guarantee that a certain law will hold in all cases. Statistical inference is therefore made in the phase of certainty. Statistical results might be misleading and incorrect if sufficient care in collecting, processing and interpreting the data is not exercised or if the statistical data is handled by a person who is not well versed in the subject matter of statistics.

Statistics is the mathematical science involving the collection, analysis and interpretation of data. A number of specialties have evolved to apply statistical theory and methods to various disciplines. Certain topics have "statistical" in their name but relate to manipulations of probability distributions rather than to statistical analysis.

Actuarial science is the discipline that applies mathematical and statistical methods to assess risk in the insurance and finance industries. Biostatistics is a branch of biology that studies biological phenomena and observations by means of statistical analysis, and includes medical statistics. Business analytics is a rapidly developing business process that applies statistical methods to data sets (often very large) to develop new insights and understanding of business performance & opportunities Chemometrics is the science of relating measurements made on a chemical system or process to the state of the system via application of mathematical or statistical methods.

Demography is the statistical study of all populations. It can be a very general science that can be applied to any kind of dynamic population, that is, one that changes over time or space. Econometrics is a branch of economics that applies statistical methods to the empirical study of economic theories and relationships. Environmental statistics is the application of statistical methods to environmental science. Weather, climate, air and water quality are included, as are studies of plant and animal populations. Epidemiology is the study of factors affecting the health and illness of populations, and serves as the foundation and logic of interventions made in the interest of public health and preventive medicine. Geostatistics is a branch of geography that deals with the analysis of data from disciplines such as petroleum geology, hydrogeology, hydrology, meteorology, oceanography, geochemistry, geography. Operations research (or Operational Research) is an interdisciplinary branch of applied mathematics and formal science that uses methods such as mathematical modeling, statistics, and algorithms to arrive at optimal or near optimal solutions to complex problems. Population ecology is a sub-field of ecology that deals with the dynamics of species populations and how these populations interact with the environment. Psychometrics is the theory and technique of educational and psychological measurement of knowledge, abilities, attitudes, and personality traits. Quality control reviews the factors involved in manufacturing and production; it can make use of statistical sampling of product items to aid decisions in process control or in accepting deliveries. Quantitative psychology is the science of statistically explaining and changing mental processes and behaviors in humans. Statistical finance, an area of econophysics, is an empirical attempt to shift finance from its normative roots to a positivist framework using exemplars from statistical physics with an emphasis on emergent or collective properties of financial markets. Statistical mechanics is the application of probability theory, which includes mathematical tools for dealing with large populations, to the field of mechanics, which is concerned with the motion of particles or objects when subjected to a force. Statistical physics is one of the fundamental theories of physics, and uses methods of probability theory in solving physical problems.

Statistical thermodynamics is the study of the microscopic behaviors of thermodynamic systems using probability theory and provides a molecular level interpretation of thermodynamic quantities such as work, heat, free energy, and entropy.

See also
What is the difference between Primary and Secondary Data? Primary Data 1. Primary data are always original as it is collected by the investigator. 2. Suitability of the primary data will be positive because it has been systematically collected. 3. Primary data are expensive and time consuming. 4. Extra precautions are not required. 5. Primary data are in the shape of raw material. 6. Possibility of personal prejudice. Secondary Data 1. Secondary data lacks originality. The investigator makes use of the data collected by other agencies. 2. Secondary data may or may not suit the objects of enquiry. 3. Secondary data are relatively cheaper. 4. It is used with great care and caution. 5. Secondary data are usually in the shape of readymade products. 6. Possibility of lesser degree of personal prejudice. The differences between primary and secondary data are listed below:

Primary Data 1. Data is original and thus more accurate and reliable. 2. Gathering data is expensive. 3. Data is not easily accessible. 4. Most of the data is homogeneous. 5. Collection of data requires more time. 6. Extra precautionary measures need not be taken.

7. Data gives detailed information. Secondary Data 1. Data is not reliable. 2. Gathering data is cheap 3. Data is easily accessible through internet or other resources. 4. Data is not homogeneous. 5. Collection of data requires less time. 6. Data needs extra care. 7. Data may not be adequate.

1. Source
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Primary data is collected firsthand by a researcher. It normally is collected through experiments, surveys, questionnaires, focus groups, interviews and taking measurements. Secondary data has already been collected and is available to the public. The sources of secondary data include books, journals, census data, biographies, articles and databases.

Accuracy
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Primary research is tailored specifically for the project and tends to be more accurate. While secondary data can provide plenty of information, it is less accurate because the data collected was not collected specifically for the questions. Primary data is customized while secondary data is not.

Scientific Method
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Primary data follows the scientific method. A hypothesis is formed, data is collected from an experiment based on the hypothesis and the hypothesis is proven correct or not. Secondary data does not start with a hypothesis as the data is already collected. Patterns and insights are found within the secondary data and then the observation on that data is made.

Cost
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The cost of obtaining primary data is typically more than secondary. This cost includes monetary values as well as time. Primary data will include the chemicals needed to perform the experiment, any scientific analysis, and most importantly the time needed to carry out the data collection, determine the results and conclusions and then write up the data for publication. Secondary data is typically available for free or for the subscription fee to the database, magazine or journal. Once the subscription is obtained the data can be obtained immediately so it takes much less time to collect secondary data.

Types of Science
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Primary data is used by all branches of science but especially for what is known as the "hard" sciences: chemistry, biology, physics, agriculture and more. The vast majority of papers published in these fields consist of primary data. It is the social sciences where secondary data is used extensively. Social science research will frequently take secondary data to find patterns within the area of study.