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Limitations of Statistics

limitations of statistics

Statistics is a mathematics science that deals with the collection, analysis, explanation and presentation of data. The quality of the data obtained by statisticians can be improved through experimental designs and sampling surveys. Statistics is indispensable to relatively all sciences which include physical, social and natural sciences. Although this subject covers a broad scope, it has significant limitations that should be noted. Some of these limitations are-

Statistics Do not Put into Consideration the Qualitative Aspect

It is hard to apply statistics in phenomena that cannot be expressed or measured in qualitative terms such as perspectives and experiences of people. To study these phenomena, it must not be assumed that statistics is the only method to use in research; neither should this method be considered as the best attack for the problem. Statisticians must experiment to convert the qualitative data into quantitative data. Moreover, there are specific dangers which may arise by only relying on quantitative data. Frederick Croxten and Dudley Cowden advise that statistics should not be used as the only method during research as well as it should not be used as the best attack to any problem.

Statistics Laws Are Only Real On Average

Statistics only deals with an aggregate of facts such as groups. Hence, a single observation cannot be considered as statistics. Results obtained in statistics are not true and cannot be related to an individual case. These results are only essential for general appraisal and are not true analysis of any specific event or unit.

Statistical Decisions Attract Errors

One of the shortcomings of statistics is that there are several errors which occur during statistical decisions. These errors are notably detected during inferential statistics. Also, in measures of variability, a variation between variables can be calculated using the standard deviation, mean deviation and quartile deviation in which the results vary. Hence statistics should not be used as the only method of research.

Statistics Laws are Not Exact

Although the law of inertia of large numbers and law of statistical regularity are the fundamental laws of statistics, these laws do not give definite results like other scientific laws. These statistical laws are generally based on probability or interpolation. Therefore, the statistical results are based on approximations.

Statistical data is prone to misuse

Statistics do not bear on the face the label of quality. This delicate science can easily be misused and biased if an inexperienced person collects the data. Hence, statistics data should be collected, analyzed, interpreted and presented by an expert. This will help the statistician to relatively make responsible statistical decisions.

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