ABSTRACT
Statistics are all around us and have become intertwined with our lives. Statistics are all around us and have become intertwined with our lives. This chapter provides a better understanding of some of the general principles and definitions of the statistical process and offering a number of cautions on how to become more informed consumers of statistical information. Statistics is merely a tool to use in dealing with data. Generally, there are two broad categories of statistics: descriptive and inferential. The key to accurately generalizing information to larger groups is in the careful systematic sampling of what statisticians call a population. In addition to the misunderstandings over averages, probably the second biggest area of statistical confusion deals with percentages. There are a great many techniques and tactics that can be used by those who may want to misrepresent the truth.
