Course 15 Directional Statistics
Directional statistics is a specialized branch of statistics that focuses on analyzing data points distributed on a circle or a sphere, commonly referred to as directional or angular data. Unlike traditional data that follows linear measurements, directional data often arises in geology, biology, meteorology, and physics, where observations are inherently related to angles, orientations, or directions. This field provides tools and methods for understanding the central tendency, dispersion, and relationships within directional data, employing concepts like circular mean, concentration, and circular regression. Directional statistics plays a crucial role in interpreting phenomena such as wind directions, animal migration patterns, and even the orientation of celestial bodies, offering valuable insights where traditional statistical methods are not directly applicable.