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Statistical inference makes propositions about a population, using data drawn from the population with some form of sampling.Given a hypothesis about a population, for which we wish to draw inferences, statistical inference consists of (first) selecting a statistical model of the process that generates the data and (second) deducing propositions from the model.
The term "mathematical statistics" designates the mathematical theories of probability and statistical inference, which are used in statistical practice. The relation between statistics and probability theory developed rather late, however.
Mathematical statistics is the application of probability theory and other mathematical concepts to statistics, as opposed to techniques for collecting statistical data. [1] Specific mathematical techniques that are commonly used in statistics include mathematical analysis , linear algebra , stochastic analysis , differential equations , and ...
He wrote a book entitled Manuscript on Deciphering Cryptographic Messages, containing detailed discussions on statistics and cryptanalysis. [2] [3] [4] Al-Kindi also made the earliest known use of statistical inference. [1] 13th century – An important contribution of Ibn Adlan was on sample size for use of frequency analysis. [1]
Statistics subsequently branched out into various directions, including decision theory, Bayesian statistics, exploratory data analysis, robust statistics, and non-parametric statistics. Neyman-Pearson hypothesis testing made significant contributions to decision theory, which is widely employed, particularly in statistical quality control.
The theory of statistics provides a basis for the whole range of techniques, in both study design and data analysis, that are used within applications of statistics. [1] [2] The theory covers approaches to statistical-decision problems and to statistical inference, and the actions and deductions that satisfy the basic principles stated for these different approaches.
Statistical hypothesis testing is a key technique of both frequentist inference and Bayesian inference, although the two types of inference have notable differences. Statistical hypothesis tests define a procedure that controls (fixes) the probability of incorrectly deciding that a default position ( null hypothesis ) is incorrect.
There are many longstanding unsolved problems in mathematics for which a solution has still not yet been found. The notable unsolved problems in statistics are generally of a different flavor; according to John Tukey, [1] "difficulties in identifying problems have delayed statistics far more than difficulties in solving problems."