What Is Statistics?

Abstract

What is statistics? We attempt to answer this question as it relates to grounding research in statistics education. We discuss the nature of statistics as the science of learning from data, its history and traditions, what characterizes statistical thinking and how it differs from mathematics, connections with computing and data science, why learning statistics is essential, and what is most important. Finally, we attempt to gaze into the future, drawing upon what is known about the fast-growing demand for statistical skills and the portents of where the discipline is heading, especially those arising from data science and the promises and problems of big data.