Statistic vs. Parameter: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
"Statistic" refers to a numerical measure calculated from a sample, while a "parameter" is a numerical characteristic that describes a population as a whole.
Key Differences
A statistic is a numerical value that describes a characteristic of a sample, a subset of a larger population. In contrast, a parameter is a numerical value that describes a characteristic of an entire population.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 17, 2023
Statistics are derived from sample data and are used to estimate or infer information about the population. Parameters are fixed values that precisely describe a population, but are often unknown and estimated by statistics.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 17, 2023
The calculation of a statistic involves data from a sample, which can be subject to sampling variability. Parameters, however, represent the true value within the population and remain constant.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 17, 2023
Statistics are practical in research when it is impractical or impossible to study an entire population. Parameters, while being the ultimate target of estimation, often remain theoretical in large populations.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 17, 2023
Examples of statistics include sample mean and sample standard deviation. Parameters are exemplified by population mean and population standard deviation, providing a more comprehensive picture.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 17, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Purpose
Used for inference about the population.
Represents a true population characteristic.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 17, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Statistic and Parameter Definitions
Statistic
A figure used for inferential purposes in research.
The researcher used the statistic to estimate population trends.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
Parameter
A numerical characteristic of a population.
The population's average income is an important parameter.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
Statistic
An empirical value used in statistical analysis.
The calculated statistic was crucial for the study's conclusions.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
Parameter
A fixed, often theoretical, value in statistics.
In this model, the growth rate is a key parameter.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
Statistic
A numerical value representing a sample characteristic.
The statistic showed a decrease in unemployment rates.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Parameter
An underlying characteristic that statistics estimate.
The parameter of interest was the overall infection rate.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
Parameter
A constant value in the field of statistics.
The parameter was used to validate the statistical model.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
Statistic
A calculated numerical value (such as the sample mean) that characterizes some aspect of a sample set of data, and that is often meant to estimate the true value of a corresponding parameter (such as the population mean) in an underlying population.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Parameter
A theoretical measure for a total population.
The true mean is a parameter that the study aimed to estimate.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
Statistic
One viewed solely as a piece of statistical or numerical information
Got laid off and became another statistic in the slumping economy.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Parameter
A constant in an equation that varies in other equations of the same general form, especially such a constant in the equation of a curve or surface that can be varied to represent a family of curves or surfaces.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Parameter
One of a set of independent variables that express the coordinates of a point.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Parameter
One of a set of measurable factors, such as temperature and pressure, that define a system and determine its behavior and are varied in an experiment.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Statistic
A quantity calculated from the data in a sample, which characterises an important aspect in the sample (such as mean or standard deviation).
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Parameter
Usage Problem A factor that restricts what is possible or what results
"all the parameters of shelter—where people will live, what mode of housing they will choose, and how they will pay for it" (New York).
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Statistic
A person, or personal event, reduced to being an item of statistical information.
By dying from an overdose, he became just another statistic.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Parameter
A factor that determines a range of variations; a boundary
An experimental school that keeps expanding the parameters of its curriculum.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Statistic
Of or pertaining to statistics; as, statistical knowledge; statistical tabulation.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Parameter
(Statistics) A quantity, such as a mean, that is calculated from data and describes a population.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Statistic
A measure calculated from sample data.
The average age in the survey results is a useful statistic.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
Parameter
A value kept constant during an experiment, equation, calculation, or similar, but varied over other versions of the experiment, equation, calculation, etc.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Statistic
A variable measure reflecting a subset of data.
This year's team performance statistic is impressive.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 13, 2023
Parameter
(sciences) A variable that describes some system (material, object, event, etc.) or some aspect thereof.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Parameter
(statistics) Any measured quantity of a statistical population that summarises or describes an aspect of the population.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Parameter
(machine learning) A variable of a model that is trained by a machine learning algorithm.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Parameter
(programming) An input variable of a function definition, that gets an actual value (argument) at execution time.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Parameter
A characteristic or feature that distinguishes something from others.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Parameter
(geometry) In the ellipse and hyperbola, a third proportional to any diameter and its conjugate, or in the parabola, to any abscissa and the corresponding ordinate.
The parameter of the principal axis of a conic section is called the latus rectum.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Parameter
(crystallography) The ratio of the three crystallographic axes which determines the position of any plane.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Parameter
(crystallography) The fundamental axial ratio for a given species.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Parameter
A constant number which is part of a theory, function, or calculation, whose value is not determined by the form of the theory or equation itself, and may in some cases be arbitrary assigned.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Parameter
A term applied to some characteristic magnitude whose value, invariable as long as one and the same function, curve, surface, etc., is considered, serves to distinguish that function, curve, surface, etc., from others of the same kind or family.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Parameter
Any constant number which is required to calculate values of observed phenomena according to a theory, but the value of which must be determined by experiment, and cannot be calculated from the fundamental assumptions of the theory. In general, a theory which has a large number of parameters, though it may accurately predict experimental results, is considered as having less explanatory power and as being less esthetically pleasing than a theory with fewer parameters.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Parameter
The ratio of the three crystallographic axes which determines the position of any plane; also, the fundamental axial ratio for a given species.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Parameter
The limits, guidelines, or assumptions from within which an activity is carried out; as, new arrivals need to learn the parameters of the research in our department.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Parameter
A variable used in a calculation within a computer program which must be assigned a value before the calculation can be performed; as, let's plug in the parameters and see what the result is.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Parameter
A characteristic or element, especially one used as a criterion for evaluation or judgment; as, a useful parameter for determining efficiency.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Parameter
A constant in the equation of a curve that can be varied to yield a family of similar curves
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Parameter
Any factor that defines a system and determines (or limits) its performance
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Parameter
A quantity (such as the mean or variance) that characterizes a statistical population and that can be estimated by calculations from sample data
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Why are parameters often unknown?
Parameters are often unknown because it's usually impractical to measure an entire population.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 17, 2023
What is a statistic?
A statistic is a numerical value calculated from a sample data set.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 17, 2023
Can a statistic be used to estimate a parameter?
Yes, statistics are often used to estimate the corresponding parameters of a population.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 17, 2023
How is a statistic different from a parameter?
A statistic is variable and estimated from a sample, while a parameter is a fixed value describing a population.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 17, 2023
What is a parameter?
A parameter is a numerical characteristic of an entire population.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 17, 2023
Why do researchers use statistics?
Researchers use statistics to make inferences about a population based on sample data.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 17, 2023
What is the importance of knowing a parameter?
Knowing a parameter helps in understanding the true characteristic of a population.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 17, 2023
Is a statistic always accurate?
Statistics are subject to sampling variability and may not always accurately represent the population.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 17, 2023
What's an example of a parameter?
An example of a parameter is the average height of all students in a school.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 17, 2023
Are parameters used in hypothesis testing?
Parameters are the values being tested against in hypothesis testing.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 17, 2023
How is the population mean different from the sample mean?
The population mean (a parameter) is the average of all data points in the population, while the sample mean (a statistic) is the average of data points in a sample.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 17, 2023
Why are parameters considered theoretical?
Parameters are considered theoretical because they describe an entire population, which is often not fully observable.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 17, 2023
How do sample size and statistic relate?
The size of a sample can affect the accuracy of the statistic as an estimate of the population parameter.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 17, 2023
What role do parameters play in statistical models?
Parameters are the values that statistical models aim to estimate or predict.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 17, 2023
What's an example of a statistic?
An example of a statistic is the average height of students in a classroom.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 17, 2023
Is parameter estimation always possible?
Parameter estimation is often possible but can be challenging in large or inaccessible populations.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 17, 2023
How do statisticians calculate statistics?
Statisticians calculate statistics using sample data and statistical formulas or software.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 17, 2023
Can parameters vary over time?
While parameters are fixed for a given population at a specific time, they can vary over time as the population changes.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 17, 2023
Are statistics limited to quantitative data?
Statistics are primarily used with quantitative data, but some statistical techniques can handle qualitative data.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 17, 2023
Can a statistic become a parameter?
A statistic cannot become a parameter, as they inherently describe different data sets (sample vs. population).
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 17, 2023
Share this page
Link for your blog / website
HTML
Link to share via messenger
About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
Shumaila Saeed
