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Descriptive Statistics

In: Analytics and Modern Warfare

Author

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  • Michael Taillard

Abstract

Most people can qualitatively describe what they see within certain limits—events that have occurred, the appearance of things, the direction in which things are moving, and so forth. Unfortunately, the usefulness of these basic observations is extremely limited, incapable of distinguishing between large volumes of things, identify traits that are not readily visible, and influenced by a high degree of subjectivity. Personal observation includes a large amount of estimation and the use of neurological responses that are frequently flawed. Illusions function by tricking the natural processes the brain uses to understand sensory information, and personal interpretations of information of events have a high rate of error resulting from insufficient information and the projection of one’s own beliefs and ideas on the external world. When even simple, qualitative analysis exists beyond the realm of our natural observational capabilities, it should then come as no surprise that our ability to accurately analyze anything with any amount of quantitative certainty is completely zero; our ability to measure anything in a manner that is useful in making precise decisions or predict future outcomes is limited to our access to measurement tools, which we do not possess naturally. Since such casual estimation lacks precision and functionality, this makes it little better than guessing. It is for this reason that descriptive statistics are necessary.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Taillard, 2014. "Descriptive Statistics," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Analytics and Modern Warfare, chapter 0, pages 11-22, Palgrave Macmillan.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palchp:978-1-137-40787-0_2
    DOI: 10.1057/9781137407870_2
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