Show Me the Data: Statistical Representation

Abstract

Statistical representation is the science and art of using data to describe the world around us. Statistical representation is based on the fundamental concept that data consists of structure plus noise. The challenge facing the statistician is to use the noisy data to learn about the underlying structure. This framework accommodates the analysis of data generated by almost all other scientific disciplines. There are numerous ways of constructing statistical representations. The methods discussed here include tables, graphs, and models. The proper representation depends on the nature of the data and the particular issues being addressed. A combination of methods is often appropriate.