Statistic vs. Statistics: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A statistic is a single numerical fact or datum, often derived from a study, while statistics is the science of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data.
Key Differences
A statistic is a singular piece of numerical information that represents a specific fact or measurement, like a percentage or an average. Statistics, in contrast, refers to the field of study that deals with the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data sets.
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Dec 04, 2023
In practical use, a statistic could be a figure like the unemployment rate of a country. Meanwhile, statistics as a discipline encompasses the methods and principles used to gather, process, and analyze data from which these individual statistics are derived.
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Dec 04, 2023
A statistic usually is a component of the broader data that statistics as a science examines. For example, a statistic can be a data point in a survey, whereas statistics is concerned with how that survey is conducted and how its results are analyzed.
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Dec 04, 2023
In terms of relevance, a statistic provides specific information about a particular aspect, such as a team's winning percentage. Statistics, however, delve deeper, exploring patterns, correlations, and predictions within a whole set of data.
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Dec 04, 2023
Lastly, while a statistic is often used to support arguments or inform about a particular situation, statistics as a field provides the tools and methodologies to ensure that these data points are accurate, reliable, and meaningful.
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Dec 04, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A single numerical fact or datum.
The science of data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
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Context
Represents a specific fact or measurement.
Involves methods for understanding and working with data.
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Grammatical Form
Singular noun.
Plural noun (also used as a singular noun in the field's name).
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Use in Research
A data point within a larger dataset.
The discipline that studies data, its patterns, and implications.
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Role
Provides specific information about a single aspect.
Provides tools for data accuracy, reliability, and analysis.
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Statistic and Statistics Definitions
Statistic
A measurable fact or figure representing a part of a whole.
A surprising statistic is that 25% of the earth's oxygen is produced by the Amazon rainforest.
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Nov 24, 2023
Statistics
A branch of mathematics dealing with data organization, analysis, interpretation, and presentation.
Statistics is crucial in forming the basis of quantitative research in various fields.
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Statistic
A numerical fact or piece of data from a study.
The statistic showed that 60% of the population prefers online shopping.
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Nov 24, 2023
Statistics
The practice of analyzing numerical data to reach conclusions.
The company uses statistics to forecast sales trends and market demands.
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Statistic
A datum used in analysis or to illustrate a point.
The team's win rate, a key statistic, was the highest in the league.
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Statistics
The science of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting numerical data.
She studied statistics to better understand data patterns in her research.
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Nov 24, 2023
Statistic
A single piece of data used to represent a larger phenomenon.
The statistic of average income per capita helps understand economic health.
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Statistics
The use of numerical facts to make decisions or inform policy.
Public health policies are often guided by statistics on disease prevalence.
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Nov 24, 2023
Statistic
A quantitative piece of information about a sample.
The statistic about daily screen time revealed increasing digital dependency.
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Nov 24, 2023
Statistics
(used with a sing. verb) The mathematics of the collection, organization, and interpretation of numerical data, especially the analysis of population characteristics by inference from sampling.
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Oct 19, 2023
Statistic
A calculated numerical value (such as the sample mean) that characterizes some aspect of a sample set of data, and that is often meant to estimate the true value of a corresponding parameter (such as the population mean) in an underlying population.
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Oct 19, 2023
Statistics
A discipline, principally within applied mathematics, concerned with the systematic study of the collection, presentation, analysis, and interpretation of data.
Statistics is the only mathematical field required for many social sciences.
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Oct 19, 2023
Statistic
One viewed solely as a piece of statistical or numerical information
Got laid off and became another statistic in the slumping economy.
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Oct 19, 2023
Statistics
The science which has to do with the collection, classification, and analysis of facts of a numerical nature regarding any topic.
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Statistics
The branch of mathematics which studies methods for the calculation of probabilities.
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Statistic
A quantity calculated from the data in a sample, which characterises an important aspect in the sample (such as mean or standard deviation).
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Oct 19, 2023
Statistics
A branch of applied mathematics concerned with the collection and interpretation of quantitative data and the use of probability theory to estimate population parameters
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Oct 19, 2023
Statistic
A person, or personal event, reduced to being an item of statistical information.
By dying from an overdose, he became just another statistic.
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Oct 19, 2023
Statistics
Techniques and methods for handling large sets of data.
Advanced statistics techniques are essential in machine learning algorithms.
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Nov 24, 2023
Statistic
Of or pertaining to statistics; as, statistical knowledge; statistical tabulation.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is a statistic?
A single piece of numerical information representing a specific fact.
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Dec 04, 2023
How is statistics used in research?
It's used for analyzing data sets to find patterns and draw conclusions.
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Dec 04, 2023
How do statisticians work with data?
They collect, analyze, interpret, and present data in meaningful ways.
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Can statistics predict future trends?
Yes, through data analysis, statistics can be used for forecasting.
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Dec 04, 2023
Can a statistic be qualitative?
Typically, a statistic is quantitative, representing numerical data.
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Dec 04, 2023
What's the importance of a statistic in an argument?
It provides concrete data to support or illustrate a point.
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Dec 04, 2023
What is a misleading statistic?
A statistic that, either intentionally or unintentionally, gives a false impression.
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What are statistics?
The science and methods of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting numerical data.
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Dec 04, 2023
Is a statistic always accurate?
A statistic's accuracy depends on the quality and reliability of the data source.
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Dec 04, 2023
What fields use statistics?
Many, including economics, biology, sociology, and engineering.
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Dec 04, 2023
Are all statistics reliable?
Not always; reliability depends on sample size, methods, and data integrity.
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Dec 04, 2023
What are inferential statistics?
Techniques for making predictions or inferences about a population from sample data.
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Dec 04, 2023
What is the difference between statistics and probability?
Statistics deal with data analysis, while probability deals with predicting future events based on possible outcomes.
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Dec 04, 2023
Can statistics be biased?
Yes, if the data collection or analysis methods are flawed.
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Dec 04, 2023
Do statisticians only work with numbers?
Primarily, but they also consider context and theoretical frameworks.
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Dec 04, 2023
What is a statistical model?
A mathematical representation of data or a real-world phenomenon.
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Dec 04, 2023
How is a statistic different from an anecdote?
A statistic is a numerical fact, whereas an anecdote is a personal story or example.
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Dec 04, 2023
Can statistics be used in everyday life?
Yes, for making informed decisions or understanding trends and probabilities.
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Dec 04, 2023
Is a high school level of understanding of statistics sufficient for most people?
Basic understanding is helpful, but advanced concepts require more study.
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Dec 04, 2023
Are statistics essential in business?
Yes, for market analysis, decision-making, and strategic planning.
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Dec 04, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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