statistics

statistics /sta·tis·tics/ (stah-tis´tiks)

1. a collection of numerical data.

2. a discipline devoted to the collection, analysis, and interpretation of numerical data using the theory of probability.

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vital statistics  data detailing the rates of birth, death, disease, marriage, and divorce in a population.

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statistics,

n the branch of mathematics that gathers, arranges, condenses, coordinates, and mathematically manipulates obtained facts so that the numerical relationships between those facts may be seen clearly and freed from anomalies resulting from chance factors.

statistics, descriptive,

n.pl the statistics used to describe only the observed group or sample from which they were derived; summary statistics such as percent, averages, and measures of variability that are computed on a particular group of individuals.

statistics, inference,

n.pl the inferences made regarding characteristics or general principles about an unseen population based on the characteristics of the observed sample. Statistical findings from a sample are generalized to pertain to the entire population. The process of drawing inferences, making predictions, and testing significance are examples of inferential statistics.

statistics, nonparametric,

n.pl the sta-tistical methods used when the statistician cannot assume that the variable being studied is normally distributed in a population. Also called
distribution-free statistics.

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statistics

1. numerical facts pertaining to a particular subject or body of objects.

2. the science dealing with the collection, tabulation and analysis of numerical facts.

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inferential statistics

conclusions, usually quantitative, drawn from an analysis of data.

salvage statistics

statistical technique used in an attempt to derive some useful information from a poorly designed or poorly executed experiment.

vital statistics

see vital statistics.