The Future of Statistics as a Discipline.
Abstract
Much has been written about statistics as a discipline, a science, and a profession--Good examples are the articles by Leslie Kish (1978) and H. O. Hartley (1980). All of us here would agree with these descriptions, but we would begin to disagree on elaborations, thus showing diversity of interest that can be both beneficial and divisive. Statistics has been called a mathematical science by some and an applied science by others. If statistics is a mathematical science, it stands alone as the one that postulates models for natural phenomena that must be subject to observation, verification, and refinement, the very process of scientific method. If statistics is an applied science, it differs from other applied sciences that utilize the theoretical discoveries of science in the production of new products that serve man. Statistics as an applied science is applied in the service of science itself; it serves as a tool in other scientific investigations. I believe that it is this role of statistics that attracts and generates the dedication of its practitioners. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA116258
Entities
People
- Ralph A. Bradley
Organizations
- Florida State University