The subject of Biological statistics deals with the application of statistical knowledge in the study of Biology. Both Biology and Statistics are part of the branches of science. While the former deals with the study of living organisms, Statistics deals with the collection, analysis, and interpretation of numerical data with the sole purpose of arriving at an inference.
The study of living organisms most often requires that research are performed and data collected through the various field and or laboratory experiments. The data collected serves no real purpose until a pattern can be formed through analysis. Hence, the data must be subjected to statistical analysis. Biological statistics, therefore, can be thought of as applied statistics.
Data are generally defined as the individual observation or measurement that are made on the smallest sample unit or any set of recorded observation on the population of interest. There is no data without research. The primary purpose of conducting research is to collect data and the analysis of these data will enable researchers to arrive at a conclusion and achieve the aim and objectives of their research. Research is meant to address problems or fill knowledge gaps that exist in the understanding of natural phenomena – the study of organisms in this case. As in every science, conducting research requires that the scientific method is followed. The scientific method is a series of chronological steps that must be observed in order to arrive at a relevant conclusion about natural phenomena. These steps are:
Biological data can be classified on two bases:
On the basis of source, data can be
On the basis of form, data can be
Primary data are those data that are collected directly by the researcher himself/herself irrespective of the method used in the collection. Secondary data are unpublished data from other research that are collected during research while tertiary data are those obtained from published sources. Primary data in the hands of one researcher is secondary data in the hands of another. Those collecting secondary data should, however, inquire about the mode of collection of the data to determine the suitability of such that for their own study.
Categorical data are observation recorded in categories, classes, or groups. Such categorization can either be descriptive or ranked. An example of descriptive categorical data includes skin colour (dark, chocolate, fair) while that of ranked include grade (first class, second class, etc).
Quantitative data are observations recorded as numerical quantities. They can either be continuous or discontinuous. Continuous quantitative data can take any form; be it whole number or fractions. E.g. weight of individuals. Discontinuous quantitative data can only take discrete or whole number forms. E.g. number of teeth of individuals.
