From several dictionaries and our common language it is apparent that the term 'statistics' can have different meanings in their respective context locations. First of all, statistics can be a singular noun meaning numerical facts or data. Please hand me over the statistics. In a larger theatre of operations the term statistics represents the science of collecting, gathering and analyzing data and this term can be thought of the singular or plural. Isn't statistics (the science) great?? We constantly use statistics (statistical tools) to make presentations at work,and in our day to day lives (think of all the stats used in baseball for instance!)

If the term is too daunting-and it is even for some teachers-then some people prefer the phrase 'data analysis'. One can see that polls, surveys, the Consumer Price Index(CPI), a census, the field of demographics, all require proper statistical tools. This is a first course in the background and preperation that goes into good statistical work.