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Statistics may be vital in obtaining the result of this (6,7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

beauty contest

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'statistics' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'be vital in obtaining the result of this' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'be' is found in the answer.
'of' could be 'o' and 'o' is present in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'may' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for beauty contest that I've seen before include "Miss World, for example" , "Looks show" , "Competition to be Miss Wherever" , "Where might a queen be crowned" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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