1. In a relational database management system having a processor coupled to a bus and a computer readable memory unit coupled to said bus, a computer implemented method for determining a workload statistic, said method comprising the steps of: a) accessing a predetermined portion of said computer readable memory unit to determine an identified first column of data within a data table; b) determining the number of rows of said first column that contain null data; c) determining a first workload statistic associated with said first column, wherein said workload statistic is compensated for contribution of said rows of said first column that contain null data; and d) storing said first workload statistic determined in step c) in a predetermined portion of said computer readable memory unit for use by an optimizer of said relational database management system.