Lesson 1: Introduction to statistics
Statistics is defined as a science. Statisticians such as John Tukey define it: "Statistics is a science, not a branch of mathematics, but it uses mathematical models as essential tools." Therefore, use the steps of the scientific method to solve a research problem.
ā
Generally, an investigation begins with an idea. This generally comes from many sources, but whatever the correct formulation of a problem to investigate is, it can only be achieved in many cases, based on the analysis, sometimes simply exploratory, of data related to the problem. The definition of objectives, the determination of methodological procedures, in short, practically all the stages of an investigative process, require for its better development of statistics in the circumstances noted above.
ā
The methods of statistics are closely related to the characteristics of a Scientific Method. Statistics, with its descriptive methods, allows the observation of facts and with its inferential methods collaborates with the process of transcending them, generalizing the behavior or relationship of phenomena, also providing ways to measure the confidence and validity of such generalizations, based on its probabilistic support. Statistics can then be located as a valuable auxiliary of a Scientific Method, a location that implies a visualization of this science in the aspect of its practical application without considering its formal location, the formal object of its knowledge from the point of view of philosophical and, therefore, epistemological.
ā
A brief history and timeline of the statistics can be read here (Link to external site)