Critical Thinking And Communication - Essay Example

? Critical Thinking and Communication Introduction It is often d by researchers and market experts that “Statistics are the best form of evidence” (Rubin, 2012). The study of statistics is a systematic process which involves collecting, analysing, interpreting along with the organization of the information from the data with respect to a particular subject or issue. The statistical approach can be categorized into two methods, i.e. a Descriptive Statistical Method that involves summarizing, organizing along with the representation of a graphical view from the information of data and an Inferential Statistical Method that signifies the involvement of the information from a model and illustrates the final conclusion with regards to the information (Davis & Nelson, 1937). Statistics is the form of representing an overview of collective data which also signifies the graphical image of the information gathered from different types of situational information (Palomar, n.d.). Based on this notion, the paper intends to discuss about the various advantages and disadvantages along with the critical assessment of studying statistics as the “best form of evidence”. Advantages of Statistics as Evidence Statistics is a wide concept which includes analyzing information obtained from an array of scattered data that moderately involves the process of developing techniques to gain a contented view of understanding based on a particular issue (Varalakshmi, Suseela, Sundaram, Ezhilarasi & Indrani, 2005). It is worth mentioning in this context that statistics is used in various educational purposes, organisational planning, and implementation of crucial strategies as well as complex processes. In relation to educational purposes, the statistical method is widely exercised with the different presentation processes, including graphical representation, tabular orientation and other forms based on the various activities undertaken in the educational divisions. In this process statistics play an important role to make the research more enthusiastic to explore new aspects regarding the concerned issue (Moore, 2010). It is in this context that the statistical method represents the overall perception of data in a more significant manner, even in terms of complex collective information. To be precise, the presentation of information through the statistical method can make easier for the persons who have least knowledge about the statistical process to comprehend the findings and thus gain better insight to the issue concerned. Statistics is also considered as one of the crucial supporting tools in planning for the organizational progress for government owned institutions as well as for private institutions. In this modern competitive world, planning is regarded as the most important aspect for developing the different levels of the organizations involving production processes, investment decisions, pricing of the products and/or services, supply chain management initiatives, and so on. Hence, the statistical method signifies the proper estimation of the previous records along with represents the graphical portrait assisting virtuously to take the initial decisions related to a particular issue (Calem & Longhofer, 2002). With the increasing demand for innovation and development of the existing commodities used for human activities and initiatives with the virtues of technology, the significance for statistical methods are also observed to be at increase. It is due to this fact that statistical measures are observed to assist the research and development groups engaged with technology innovations as well as development to execute complex processes by a significant extent such as in the medical science, computer science and other segments which involve technology as an inseparable facet (Roberts, 2010) The Information Technology (IT) sector, in the current phenomenon, is observed to be highly influenced by the competitive movements taking place among the competitors. With this concern, the IT companies need to emphasize on developing their services in which, statistics is considered to be of vital use (Motulsky, 2005). Disadvantages of Statistics as Evidence Statistical methods are often regarded as the scientific methods for developing a presentation of information in an efficient and comprehensive way. However, the statistical methods too have also some limitations imposed on the observation of the model, for instance, the method confined to a set of numerical data or information while setting of an enquiry. In other words, the study is not applicable to measure the qualitative phenomenon, such as, poverty, honesty, intelligence and so on. Even, in some of the scenarios it often needs a visual representation on the related qualitative information, such as intelligence levels of the students in a particular class. In this case the statistical method needs to rely on the gathered aggregates during the exams of that class and create a graphical view of intelligence level perceived by the students in the class. However, the method can be applied indirectly with the simultaneous inclusion of qualitative approach, even though the strategy is likely to enhance the complexities arising while implementation of the process (Calem & Longhofer, 2002). The critical discussion of statistical method considers the constraint about the study on individual or a singular item, especially when the method can be implemented with the collective of substances. It is in this context that the statistical method based on the approximation of the collective data does not signify the exact value of the substances only representing the data in an average range. The graphical presentation of the collective data may involve with various aspects, such unauthentic information which develops the presentation in an imaginary visualization manner for those types of collected data. Moreover, the forecasting of the future actions may not be accomplished effectively by graphically represented data of statistical method. In order to establish the findings effectively, the statistical method of any estimation or problem needs to be dealt by experts. The inexperienced user might lead to an inaccurate calculation of the substance; thus, defining a vague or unreliable conclusion of the process (Calem & Longhofer, 2002). In this perspective, the accuracy level of the statistical method contains with the vital situation for the organization or any institution which can be obliging them in terms of decision making process. Therefore, it is very crucial point to analyze the statistical method furnished by only the specialized person for developing the future steps of the organization or the institution. Critical Analysis The critical analysis of statistics generally involves major functions in different activities of individuals or institutions for the achievement of the determined objectives related to a particular issue. Statistical method implies the presentation of huge data into a comprehensive and more lucid view towards a particular issue (Rubin, 2012). In the similar context, the comparison functions of the method can be regarded as the usefulness of the model (Cobanovic, 2002). A systematic presentation of the data can be measured in two methods, i.e. through tabulation and through classification of the data. These two methods also significantly assist in identifying and retrenching the irrelevant data collected from various sources. Since, the statistical method is often regarded as a combination of figures as well as facts, comparative studies can be significantly supported by statistics as evidences (Calem & Longhofer, 2002). Hence, on the basis of its advantages, statistics can be regarded to be reliable evidences. However, the methods through which statistics are often obtained are observed to possess certain limitations which in turn are most likely to have an adverse affect on the reliability of statistics as evidences. For instance, statistical method requires the guidance or complete involvement of an expert possessing a competitive understanding of the issue as well as of the statistical method used. This limits the reliability of the statistical data obtained raising perplexities regarding the expertise of the executors. Furthermore, the statistical method is also considered to overlook the importance of qualitative data which again creates a constraint on the implication of statistics as evidences (Rubin, 2012). Moreover, the statistical tools are often observed to provide an approximation to the obtained result rather than rendering a clear understanding of the issue researched. For instance, graphical representation developed through statistical processes are often observed to be based on scaling techniques such as Likert Scaling which renders an aggregate or rather approximation to the values perceived by the respondents. Hence, this indicates that statistical tools cannot be regarded as the sources of best evidences (Moore, 2010). Conclusion With reference to the above discussion, it becomes quite apparent that statistics can be certainly considered as evidence for establishing a lucid understanding regarding a particular issue. However, it might not be categorized as the best available evidence to gauge the findings obtained as it is also identified to possess various limitations in terms of its methodical implementation process. Various aspects, thus, needs to be taken into concern while referring to statistics as evidences such as the relation or role of qualitative data in the issue identified, the source of statistics obtained as well as the consistency of the statistical method to identify and explore the required data. Conclusively, the method can be regarded as a complex one which requires additional effort to be signified as the “best form of evidence”. References Calem, P. S. & Longhofer, S. D. (2002). Anatomy of a Fair Lending Exam: The Uses and Limitations of Statistics. The Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics, Vol. 24 (3): 207-237 Cobanovic, K. (2002). Role of Statistics in the Education of Agricultural Science Students. Retrieved from http://www.stat.auckland.ac.nz/~iase/publications/1/4i2_coba.pdf Davis, H. T. & Nelson, W. F. C. (1937). Elements of Statistics with Application to Economic Data. Retrieved from http://cowles.econ.yale.edu/archive/reprints/elements.pdf Moore, P. G. (2010). The Scope of Statistics. Retrieved from http://ebooks.cambridge.org/chapter.jsf?bid=CBO9780511569685&cid=CBO9780511569685A006 Motulsky, H. (2005). Statistics Guide Statistical: Analyses For Laboratory And Clinical Researchers. Retrieved from http://www.graphpad.com/manuals/prism4/StatisticsGuide.pdf Palomar, No Date. Definition of Statistics. Retrieved from http://faculty.palomar.edu/mmumford/120/notes/Chap1.pdf Roberts, D. (2010). The Overrated Importance of Statistics in Research. Retrieved from http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/d/m/dmr/papers/Roberts.pdf Rubin, A. (2012). Statistics for Evidence-Based Practice and Evaluation. United States: Cengage Learning. Sribd (2012). Importance of Statistics in Different Fields. Retrieved from http://www.scribd.com/doc/44288438/Importance-of-Statistics-in-Different-Fields Varalakshmi, T. V., Suseela, T. N., Sundaram, T. G. G., Ezhilarasi, T. S. & Indrani, T. B. (2005). Definitions, Scope and Limitations. Retrieved from http://www.textbooksonline.tn.nic.in/Books/11/Std11-Stat-EM.pdf Read More