Descriptive and Inferential Statistics - 2333 Words

Descriptive and inferential statistics can describe data with remarkable precision and accuracy. Statistical analysis can also involve much time and effort, and therefore an understanding of the proper structure of descriptive and inferential statistics is crucial before expensive investments of time and resources are wasted because data is not collected using proper methods. Many surveys are reported every day in business, government and the media that are questionable because data was not collected and analyzed accurately. For the most robust inferential results, random data must be gathered, there must be enough sample points relative to the size of the population the sample is claimed to infer characteristics about, and the most robust inferences are made by applying a test condition to one or more groups compared to an untested group that did not get the treatment, to see how likely the condition of interest would appear in a control group by chance. If the population is small e nough or there are enough resources to survey them all, that is optimal and therefore no inferential statistics need be performed because descriptive statistics include all group members and therefore accuracy is 100% or very high, but this is often not possible There are many statistical techniques that can handle non-normal or random data, but if the consequences carry high risk of say loss of life, or irreversible damage, then the best effort is required to ensure the highest accuracy.Show MoreRelatedDescriptive and Inferential Statistics1122 Words   |  5 PagesRunning head: DESCRIPTIVE AND INFERENTIAL STATISTICS 1 Descriptive and Inferential Statistics DESCRIPTIVE AND INFERENTIAL STATISTICS 2 Descriptive and Inferential Statistics Descriptive and inferential statistics are incredibly similar forms of research testing within psychology. Each seeks to analyze, describe, and possibly predict a population’s behavior. As with psychology itself, statistical analysis within psychology began as a philosophy (Goodwin, 2008). This philosophy quicklyRead MoreInferential and Descriptive Statistics2154 Words   |  9 PagesBefore we continue the discussion about the basic descriptive data elements that are needed to answer the question I previously posed, it is important to understand what we mean by descriptive statistics. Descriptive statistics describe the features of the data collected. In other words, descriptive statistics describe â€Å"what† the data looks like, but it does not tell you why or how data elements interact or influence one another. Descriptive statistics provide a defender with summaries about the dataRead MoreDescriptive and Inferential Statist ics699 Words   |  3 PagesWhen faced with an analysis of a situation which deals with a population, an analyzer will incorporate both descriptive and inferential statistics to evaluate his or her results and create a credible conclusion. Descriptive statistics provides information focused on an immediate group of data. After defining what needs to be analyzed, the descriptive statistics will help the analyzer abridge the data to a more meaningful and comprehendible form, which will then provide patterns in his or her researchRead MoreDescriptive and Inferential Statistics955 Words   |  4 PagesDescriptive and Inferential Statistics Statistical methods in psychology have two main branches, which are descriptive and inferential. They each play a major part in the data that is collected for research and other studies. This paper will show the functions of statistics, how descriptive and inferential statistics are defined and the relationship between the two. Statistics is a necessary tool in psychology. It provides data for research studies as well as providing background information andRead MoreDescriptive and Inferential Statistics Paper1139 Words   |  5 PagesDescriptive and Inferential Statistics Paper PSY 315 Descriptive and Inferential Statistics Whether doing original research or conducting literature reviews, one must conclude what a powerful and versatile tool statistics are in the hands of researchers. From basic statistics such as data description, to using complex statistical methods to foresee future patterns or strengthen scientific claims about current climates, the role of statistics in research cannot be taken lightly and is essentialRead MoreUse of Descriptive Statistics over Inferential Statistics659 Words   |  3 PagesQ1. When would you use descriptive over inferential statistics? Provide a specific scenario and explain your rationale. Descriptive statistics is the term given to the analysis of data that helps describe, show or summarize data in a meaningful way such that, for example, patterns might emerge from the data (Understanding descriptive and inferential statistics, 2012, Laerd). Examples of descriptive statistics include an analysis of central tendency (the position of most members of the group inRead MoreAdvantages And Disadvantages Of Descriptive And Inferential Statistics932 Words   |  4 PagesDescriptive and Inferential Statistics Statistics has been a form of research for many years. There are several professions that depend on statistics to help their research to grow and flourish within society. Professions like psychology and medicine often use some sort of statistics to help them better understand their work. There are two types of statistics that are used often in research. There is descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Throughout this paper, I hope to explain the distinctRead More1. What Are Descriptive Statistics and How Do They Differ from Inferential Statistics?1000 Words   |  4 Pagesare descriptive statistics and how do they differ from inferential statistics? INTRODUCTION Statistical procedures can be divided into two major categories: descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Typically, in most research conducted on groups of people, you will use both descriptive and inferential statistics to analyse your results and draw conclusions. So what are descriptive and inferential statistics? And what are their differences?We have seen that descriptive statistics provideRead MoreDescriptive and Inferentail Statistics Essay889 Words   |  4 PagesDescriptive and Inferential Statistics Paper Descriptive and Inferential Statistics Paper Statistics are used for descriptive purposes, and can be helpful in understanding a large amount of information, such as crime rates. Using statistics to record and analyze information, helps to solve problems, back up the solution to the problems, and eliminate some of the guess work. In Psychology there has to be a variable or variables to be organized, measured, and expressed as quantities. InformationRead MoreUnderstanding Business Research Terms and Concepts: Part 2 Essay914 Words   |  4 PagesApril 18, 2016 Dr. Linda F Florence Understanding Business Research Terms and Concepts: Part 2 Descriptive statistics Descriptive statistics suggests a straightforward quantitative outline of a data-set which has been gathered. It helps us comprehend the experimentation or data-set in-detail and tells people concerning the mandatory details that help show the data perceptively. Descriptive statistics, we just convey exactly what the data reveals and tell us. Most of the statistical averages and