As a key player in modern scientific methodology, statistics, the science of collecting, processing and analyzing data from observation of random phenomena (i.e., in which chance is a factor), is an essential part of the process of formulating a research hypothesis, choosing the study variables and research method, analyzing the results and drawing conclusions. In this technical note, the authors touch on the main notions to be mastered for optimal use of descriptive statistics in this process, facilitating publication of articles submitted to the European Annals of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Diseases.