Effect of Statistics on My Everyday Life - Essay Example

Effect of Statistics on My Everyday Life In everyday life, statistics plays a crucial role. As documented by Johnson and Bhattacharyya (2010), it is important in providing the methodology and principles for designing data collection processes, summary and interpretation of data and deducing conclusions. Thus, it not only serves professional research purposes but also the general life in an attempt to understand the life around us. Personally, I have found statistics important in time management.

I observed a week of how much time I spend preparing myself in the morning for the day. With my wake-up alarm going off at 0600H on weekdays and 0700H and 0800H on Saturday and Sunday respectively, I used the time I leave my room to determine the time spent. Table 1 shows the data I collected following the observation of this trend. Table 1 The Time Spent Preparing Each Morning Day of the week Wake-up time Departure time Time spent (minutes) Monday 0600H 0630H 30 Tuesday 0600H 0635H 35 Wednesday 0600H 0630H 30 Thursday 0600H 0630H 30 Friday 0600H 0640H 40 Saturday 0700H 0745H 45 Sunday 0800H 0900H 60 Total     270 Mean     39 Using statistical methodology, I found out that on average, I spend 39 minutes in my preparation.

Critically evaluating the data, I realized that during most of the days, specifically on weekdays, I spend 30 minutes on preparation, thus the mode in accordance to statistical terminology (Johnson & Bhattacharyya, 2010). However, on weekends I spend more time, precisely an average of approximately 53 minutes. From this statistical analysis, I have been able to allow for adequate time for my morning preparation to make sure I am on time for start of day. In case of an early call, then I use the same statistics to adjust my wake-up time backwards.

Thus, statistics has positively affected my time management. Reference Johnson, R. A. & Bhattacharyya, G. K. (2010). Statistics: Principles and methods (6th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.