Function of Statistics and Statisticians

The science of statistics and the statisticians have a lot of function to do in common which have been beautifully observed by Prof. Robert W. Bargess in the following words :

“The fundamental gospel of statistics is to push back the domain of ignorance, rule of thumb, arbitrary or premature decisions, traditions and dogmatism and to increase the domain in which decisions are made and principles are formulated on the basis of analytical quantitative facts.”

 If the above observation of Prof. Robert W. Bargess is critically analysed, the important functions of statistics and statisticians would come out as under:

(i)     To collect and present the facts in a systematic manner.

(ii)    To simplify unwieldy and complex data.

(iii)   To classify the data.

(iv)    To provide techniques for making comparisons.

(v)     To enlarge human experience.

(vi)    To study relationship between different phenomena.

(vii)   To indicate trend behaviour.

(viii)  To measure uncertainty.

(ix)    To formulate and test the hypothesis.

(x)     To formulate and implement policies in different fields.

(xi)    To draw rational conclusions.