Statistics and the Administrator
| Published date | 01 October 1968 |
| Date | 01 October 1968 |
| Author | James S. Roberts |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1002/j.1099-162X.1968.tb00346.x |
Statistics and the Administrator
By
JAMES
S.
ROBERTS
Dr. Roberts is Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, at the University
of Nevada, U.S.A.
STATISTICS
is an uncomfortable subject for many administrators. Amoment's
reflection and a degree of modesty are usually sufficient to reveal to the
administrator that he is technically incompetent to utilize effectively modern
statistical techniques. On the other hand, the abundant evidence of the
importance of statistics not only as a means of quantitative description
but
as an aid to wise decisions makes the administrator painfully aware of his
deficiency.
The
purpose of this article is to describe a meaningful role for
the administrator in the effective use of statistics, however limited his own
statistical training may be.
To understand the administrator's role in the effective use of statistics,
the following introductory observations may be helpful. First, statistics is
not a substitute for mature judgment and responsible action. Statistics
cannot guarantee that good decisions will be made. Properly used, however,
statistics frequently will give the administrator an added capacity to make
better decisions. This capacity will not usually depend on the administrator's
personal statistical competence,
but
on his ability to use competent statis-
ticians effectively.
Secondly, to operate effectively, the statistician needs the help of the
administrator. Information must be gathered from public and private
sources.
The
administrator can do much to make information available and
to create a receptive atmosphere for the work of the statistician. Thirdly,
statisticians need responsible criticism. Close association with the collection
and analysis of data may give the statistician a myopic view
of
his work.
The
administrator must add the necessary balance and perspective. These
observations indicate a meaningful role for the administrator in the effective
use of statistics. He must develop a grasp of statistics which will enable him:
(I) to appreciate the value
of
statistics to administration;
(2) to support effectively the work of the statistician; and
(3) to question responsibly the results of statistical investigations.
What is Statistics?
If
an administrator were to seek a definition of statistics as a starting point
for his introduction to the discipline, he might find some of the following
descriptions useful:
"Statistics refers to a purposeful set of figures."
"Statistics is concerned with scientific methods for collecting, organizing
and summarizing, presenting and analyzing data, as well as drawing valid
conclusions and making reasonable decisions on the basis of such analysis."
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