Introduction
There is no doubt that statistics which has been thought of as a science of assembling; putting in order, analyzing, and interpreting data do play a major role in human day-to-day life helping in answering important questions (Punsalan et. al., 1987). In this case, Jr.High school is no exception in utilizing statistics. Additionally, it has been noted that statistics is found in a myriad of fields ranging from medical, engineering, technology, business, schools, to psychology. The essay critically evaluates the use of statistics in Jr. High school and seeks to explain how it is used, the four levels of measurements and their use in the school, examples of descriptive and inferential statistics, and finally the advantages associated with accurate interpretation of statistical information in helping improve making rational decisions in an organization.
Use of statistics in the Jr. High school
In Jr., High school statistics do have numerous applications. The most important application or use of statistics in the school is in evaluating how students perform in their studies. Such statistics help the administration, as well as a teacher, know the areas that need more effort to better improve student performance. Additionally, the school has applied statistics describing its student composition in terms of numbers, gender, age, and race among other demographic statistics.
During sports day, the school utilizes statistics to provide a summary of how specific games are proceedings for instance basketball scoreboards help the audience to have a glimpse of scores. Additionally, the school has researched several topics for instance how to improve performance, motivate, and satisfy the teaching staff. With these, the findings have been incorporated in decision-making (Punsalan et. al., 1987). The school through record-keeping does use statistics to establish the number of students that complete their education; vital in calculating the rates of dropouts. Generally speaking, the school utilizes statistics in several fields in the quest to be better placed in making rational decisions aimed t propelling the school to greater heights.
Four levels of measurement
The nominal level of measurement which is discrete for instance gender or race of student has been used to establish how many female and male students are in the school. Such information has been presented by the use of graphs and pie charts. Ordinal or rank level of measurement has also been used in ranking the best performing student in an ascending order since it provides us with ordered categories. Presentation of such information is done using descriptive statistics. Similarly, the staff performance has in the recent past been ranked for awards (Lindley, 1985).
The ratio level of measurement such as age has been collected, organized, and interpreted in the various grades to establish the mean and average age of students in grades 7 and 8. In sports, ratio measurements particularly height and weight have been used to establish characteristics of participants in basketball and football players. Presentations of such information have been best depicted through a histogram. The last level of measurement interval which has the equal distance between set values is discrete and has been used to establish student thoughts on how the school can better their learning environment so that they feel active.
Descriptive and inferential statistics
An example of descriptive is the standard deviation of last year’s grades 7 overall performances and that of the previous year. On the other hand, inferential statistics arrive at inferences based on patterns observed in the sample. A typical example of inferential statistics is the correlation between teachers’ motivation and student performance. A study established that motivated teachers are satisfied and when fully supported by the principal, the students’ performance improves.
Advantages of accurate interpretation of statistical information
According to Lindley, 1985 the advantage of accurately interpreting statistical information to improve decision making in the school include; it helps in rational allocation of resources, guarantees that the solution arrived at in the least will be long-lasting, will provide a benchmark for future decisions on accurate information and helps avoid conflicts.
Conclusion
From the review of the concept of statistics, it is apparent that it is a day-to-day activity that takes place in human life. Its application in numerous fields ranges from gauging student performance to giving a vivid picture of scores in a match or game. The four levels of measurement are nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio. Accurate interpretation of statistical information is of significant importance.
References
Lindley, D. (1985). Making Decisions. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Punsalan, T. Et al. (1987). Statistics: a Simplified Approach. New York: Springer.