What is the function of Statistics? Discuss in detail concerning education research.
Functions of Statistics
The functions of Statistics are summarized under the following headings.
i) To present facts in a definite form
Daily we encounter millions of pieces of information that are often vague, indefinite, and unclear. When such pieces of information undergo specific statistical techniques and are represented in tables or figures, they represent things from a perspective that is easy to comprehend. For example, we say that some students out of 1000 who appeared for the B. Ed examination were declared successful.
This statement is not giving as much information. But when we say that 900 students out of 1000 who appeared for the B. Ed examination were declared successful, and after using specific statistical techniques, we conclude that “90% of B. Ed. students were successful,”; now the sentence becomes more apparent and meaningful.
ii) To simplify unmanageable and complex data
In our daily life and research, we often get a large amount of information. To get a clear picture, statistics help us simplify such information by taking a few figures as a representative sample or averages to give a bird’s eye view of the large masses. Complex data may be simplified by presenting them in tables, graphs, or diagrams, or representing it through an average, etc.
iii) To use techniques for making comparisons
Often in research, things become more apparent, more precise, and more significant when compared with others of the same type. The comparison between two groups is courtesy of specific statistical techniques, such as averages, coefficients, rates, ratios, etc.
iv) To enlarge individual experience
As individuals, our knowledge is limited to what we can observe and see, which is a tiny part of the ocean of knowledge. Statistics extends our knowledge and experiences by presenting various conclusions and results based on numerical investigations.
For example, we listen daily and have the general impression that the cost of living has increased. But to know to what extent the increase has occurred and how far the rise in prices has affected different income groups, it would be necessary to compare the rise in pricincreasef articles consumed.
v) To guide the formulation of policies
Statistics is a great servant of business in management and government. Statistics enable us to make correct decisions, whether a business person or government takes them. Statistical methods are employed in the industry to tackle the problem of product standardization.
Large industries maintain a separate department for statistical intelligence or statistical bureau, the work of which is to collect, compare and coordinate figures for formulating future policies of the firm regarding production and sales.
vi) To enable measurement of the magnitude of a phenomenon
Statistics help us to measure the importance of a phenomenon under investigation. Estimates of the population of a country or the quantity of wheat, rice, and other agricultural commodities produced in the country during any year are examples of such phenomena.
