New Developments in Statistics - E-book - ePub

Statistics has been derived from the Latin word 'status, anItalian word 'statist' or a German word 'Statistic', all of whichmeans a 'political state'. The use of statistics has beenemployed in various fields like biostatics, agriculture, economics, sociology, business management etc. The field of statistics is not afresh, and its beginning can bedated back to the times of the beginning of the humanactivities.
However, the utilization of statistics has increased overthe years when it first began to be used. In the earlier timesstatistics was referred to as the science of statecraft and wasused for collecting data related to population count in theruler's area, crime, mortality, income, birth rate and was alsoused for keeping a track of the key events of the time foradministrative purposes. However, in the modern times, the useof statistics has been employed in a variety of fields.
Its usehas been extended in the areas of formulation and predictionof future plans and policies of the state administration. The word statistics is used in multiple number of waysdepending on its use. There are some instances where it isused in plural form that reflects upon the word 'statistics' beingreferred to as numerical data and statements. There are otherinstances where it is used in singular form to refer to thesubject of study just like any other subject like mathematics, economics etc.
The importance of statistics has subsequently increased over allthese passing years. It is because of the benefits that itprovides to the user. The statistical findings have madeassumption of anomalous information easy. In fact, the use ofthe statistical thinking has become necessary for the citizens.