Meaning, Need and Importance of Statistics in Educational Assessment

Statistics - (Related with data) - The word statistics originated from latin word 'status' or from italian word 'statistal'. Both these words mean 'political state'. Earlier the term was assigned to the accounts of the states. But today it is used in the subjects like science, education, psychology, economics, sociology etc.

According to -

Usually the word statistics carries the following three common meanings- 

Tete has beautifully summarized these different meanings of the world statistics in the following witty comments - "It's all perfectly clear; you compute statistics (mean, median, mode etc.) from statistics (numerical facts) by statistics (statistics as a science or methodology)."

The following terms are used in statistics in the study of above mentioned definitions - 

Need and Importance of Statistics in Educational Assessment

The need and the importance of statistics in different subjects and in general are as following -

1. Construction and Standardization of tests 

Statistical methods help in construction and standardization of various test and measures like Achievement tests, Intelligence tests, Aptitude tests, Attitude scales etc.

2. Interpretation of the results of tests 

Scores obtained in tests are always relative and not absolute. Hence they are meaningless in themselves. Statistical methods help in their proper presentation, comparison and interpretation. Here statistics helps us in the following ways - 

3. Simplification

We can present comprehensive data in a simplified form. It will save us time and labour and will also give us the correct results.

4. Comparative Studies

It helps us in the comparative studies of different groups or different individuals. e.g.- comparison of two institutes.

5. Knowledge of Validity

It validates that a test measures the aspects for which it has been constructed.

6. Knowledge of Reliability

It ensures us that in order to measure a particular aspect we can rely on the given test.

7. Useful in Research Work

Statistics proves useful in the research work in the context of effects of teaching methods, utility of curriculum and achievement of educational objectives.

8. To know Correlation

We can find the correlation between two or more variables along with the quantity of correlation.

9. Selection of a Sample

Most of the studies are conducted on sample in the fields of Education and Psychology. But for sample, it is essential that the same should be the representative of the universe. In selecting representative sample, statistics contributes significantly.

Functions of Statistics

Thus it can be easily concluded that statistics is very helpful to the teachers in the proper functioning of their various duties. It gives a definite direction to the process of teaching and learning and helps the teacher to realise the broader aims and objectives of education.