Statistics (DRAFT): Home

What is statistics?
Statistics is “the practice or science of collecting and analysing numerical data in large quantities, especially for the purpose of inferring proportions in a whole from those in a representative sample” (Oxford Languages). In practice, statistics means working with data, usually numbers, to describe patterns in society and the natural world, so that we can better understand, interpret, and take action. It is a wide-reaching discipline that underpins much of science and social life. You will often see statistics in the news, for example:

• Reports on election polls and voter intentions.
• Headlines about rising (or falling) crime rates.
• Updates on inflation, interest rates, or unemployment figures.
• Health statistics, such as COVID-19 infection rates or life expectancy.
• Environmental data on climate change, such as global temperature increases or biodiversity loss.

For university students, statistics is especially important. You need to understand statistics in order to interpret data critically and spot misleading claims. You may also need to apply statistics in your own work, particularly if you are conducting quantitative analysis or research.