Statistical: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word derives from the Latin 'status', meaning 'state' or 'condition', reflecting its use in analyzing populations and conditions.
• In the 18th century, its use transformed to reflect the systematic collection of numerical data for understanding societies.

Applications

• In health care, statistical analyses help determine the effectiveness of treatments and understand patient outcomes.
• Businesses rely on statistical methods to forecast sales and understand market trends, ensuring they make informed decisions.

Historical Figures

• Florence Nightingale used statistics to improve sanitation in hospitals, significantly reducing death rates in the 19th century.
• Sir Francis Galton, a pioneer in statistics, introduced ideas of correlation and regression, laying the groundwork for modern statistical methods.

Modern Relevance

• With the rise of big data, statistical techniques are increasingly vital for making sense of vast amounts of information in various fields.
• Statistical literacy has become a crucial skill in the digital age, enabling individuals to interpret data in news, research, and social media.

Psychology

• Statistical tools are used in psychology to analyze behavior patterns and test hypotheses, guiding therapists in their practice.
• Confusion around statistics can lead to misunderstandings of psychological studies, highlighting the importance of critical thinking.

At position #2,692, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.

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