Statisticians have major role in economy

By Gamini Warushamana

State and private sector institutions in Sri Lanka should invest more on statistical analysis of data in the decision making process and for human resource development of statistical professionals, said the President of the Institute of Applied Statistics in Sri Lanka (IASSL), Prof. T.S.G. Peiris in an interview with the Sunday Observer.

Excerpts of the interview:

Prof. T S G Peiris

Statistics is a branch of mathematics concerning the collection and the description of data. However, statistics is probably a friendly branch of mathematics because it really can be used every day.

A knowledge of statistics will help figure out risk and uncertainty in any field when all the facts are either unknown or cannot be collected and will help make better decisions in everyday life.

Unfortunately the data stored in the largest data warehouses in government institutions and in private business organisations are not used today as statisticians are not sufficiently recognised in Sri Lanka.

Therefore, when taking decisions we make guesses instead of making projections scientifically, based on statistical analysis. Statisticians have a greater role to play in the economy today.

If statistics is not used the results of research are not scientifically valid. Only statisticians can tell things with certainty. That is the difference between statistical professionals and other professionals. Statistical analysis needs qualified statisticians.

"Today statistics is taught in schools and universities and there are qualified people. However, the practical application of the subject is limited in university education and in my opinion degree courses should be more practical oriented."

There are some limitations in statistical research in Sri Lanka and, therefore, some of the figures, reports and conclusions based on such research may be wrong. Statistical research should have adequate coverage. "For instance a sample survey needs an adequate sample and should use proper scientific methods and I have doubts over some of the nationally important research. Finance, resources and time are the main constraints in statistical research.

The IASSL has initiated programs to improve professionalism among statistical staff in government and private institutions in Sri Lanka. "We set up IASSL in 1999 with a few applied statisticians to promote the subject realising its importance and wider use in the modern economy. We did not want to name it as Statistics Association like the American Statistical Association (ASA) or Royal Statistical Association (RSS) as we felt that we needed the application of existing statistical theories to solve our issues and stressed 'Applied Statistics'.

"Our role is the use of theories (with few modification) to solve problems. There are many unsolved problems where statisticians can help and there are also heaps of data in many organisations, in the government and private sector, that have not been used.

"Since 1999 we have organised seminars to help young statisticians tackle problems with confidence. But we are not satisfied as yet and need to play a major role in development. For this we need the cooperation of government departments.

"We have programs to train staff on interpreting statistical results to make correct decisions. The use of statistical software has no meaning if you cannot understand what is happening inside them," he said.

Prof. Peiris is a senior lecturer at the University of Moratuwa and a well known researcher who has won Presidential Awards three times for his research. He has also worked as the Head of the Statistics Division at the Coconut Research Institute, Lunuwila for 25 years.