Statistics is not a science, it is a scientific method. Discuss the statement.
- (a) “Statistics is not a Science, it is a scientific method.” – Discuss.
1. Meaning of Statistics
In the modern sense, statistics means a collection of various methods which are used for
– collecting numerical data,
– presenting them in a systematic form, and
– analysing them to draw conclusions.
Thus, statistics is mainly a tool or technique to study any quantitative problem.
2. Why statistics is not a separate science
Many authors say that statistics is not a full-fledged science like Physics, Chemistry or Economics. The reasons are:
- No specific subject-matter of its own
• Every science has its own well-defined field.
– Physics deals with matter and energy, statistics is not a science
– Botany deals with plants,
– Economics deals with wealth and human activities.
• But statistics does not study any particular type of phenomenon.
It can be applied to population, prices, wages, death rates, examination marks, production, accidents, etc.
• Therefore, statistics is general in nature and does not have its own separate subject-matter.
- Absence of universal laws
• Sciences formulate laws or principles which explain the behaviour of their subject.
Example: law of gravitation in Physics, law of demand in Economics.
• Statistics does not give such substantive laws about society or nature. Statistics is not a science -
It only tells how to collect, present and analyse numerical facts.
• The laws which statistics provides (like law of averages, theory of probability) are mainly laws of method, not of any concrete phenomenon.
- Dependent character
• Statistical conclusions always relate to some other science.
For example, index numbers relate to Economics, mortality rates to Demography, crop-yield data to Agriculture. statistics is not a science • Without another subject providing data and giving meaning to the results, statistics by itself has no content.
• Hence, statistics cannot exist in isolation; it is dependent on other sciences for material and interpretation.
3. Why statistics is called a scientific method
Although it is not an independent science, statistics is an important scientific method of study. This is because:
- Systematic and orderly procedure
• Statistics prescribes definite steps for investigation:
(i) collection of data,
(ii) classification and tabulation,
(iii) presentation through charts, diagrams, averages, etc.,
(iv) analysis by measures of dispersion, correlation, regression, time-series, etc., and
(v) interpretation and conclusion.
• This step-by-step procedure resembles the method used in all sciences.
- Objectivity and precision
• Scientific method requires objectivity. Statistics insists on numerical measurement and reduces personal bias. statistics is not a science • It gives precise numerical results such as mean, standard deviation, correlation coefficient, probability, level of significance, etc., which are capable of verification or testing.
- Use of reasoning and logic
• Statistical techniques like sampling, hypothesis testing, analysis of variance, etc., are based on logical reasoning and mathematical principles.
• Conclusions are not based on guesswork; they are drawn by applying definite rules, just like experiments in natural sciences.
- Helps in discovering relationships and generalisations
• By comparing and analysing data, statistics helps to discover relationships between different factors—for example, between price and demand, income and consumption, rainfall and crop yield, etc.
• It also helps in framing generalisations and predictions (forecasts), always with a known degree of reliability. statistics is not a science - Applicable to all sciences
• Whether the field is economics, business, psychology, medicine, biology or engineering, data have to be analysed statistically.
• Because these methods are common to many sciences, statistics is rightly called a general scientific method.
4. Conclusion
From the above discussion we can say:
- Statistics does not possess a separate, concrete field of study or its own independent laws like other sciences; therefore, it is not a distinct science in the ordinary sense.
- However, it provides a set of scientific and objective methods for handling numerical data in any field of knowledge. Statistics is not a science
Hence, the statement “Statistics is not a science, it is a scientific method” is justified. Statistics should be regarded mainly as a scientific technique of investigation which other sciences use to study their own subject-matter more accurately. If you want to know the Syllabus of Business Statistics you must visit the official website of Gndu.
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