An introduction to everyday statistics--1.

Descriptive statistics are used to summarise numerical information so that it is in a more manageable form. There are a variety of ways of carrying this out depending upon what type of data we are dealing with. There is also a choice when presenting data. Graphical and tabular formats are possible but each have strengths and weaknesses. Selection therefore needs to take these into account along with the format of the presentation and the type of data.