descriptive stats
What is Statistics?
Statistics Defined
Statistics is the science of collecting, organizing, analyzing, and interpreting data to make informed decisions. It provides tools to transform raw data into useful information.
Two Branches
Descriptive statistics summarizes and describes data you already have. Inferential statistics uses sample data to draw conclusions about a larger population.
Real-World Example
A university surveys 500 students about sleep habits. Reporting that the average sleep time is 6.8 hours is descriptive statistics. Concluding that all students at the university average about 6.8 hours is inferential statistics.
Why It Matters
Statistics is everywhere: medical research, business decisions, sports analytics, and social science. Understanding it helps you evaluate claims and make better decisions.