Question

explain the difference between descriptive and inferential statistics.

choose the correct answer below.

a. descriptive statistics draws conclusions about the sets of data based on sampling. inferential statistics summarizes the information revealed in data sets.
b. descriptive statistics describes sets of data. inferential statistics draws conclusions about the sets of data based on sampling.
c. descriptive statistics is a characteristic or property of an individual experimental unit. inferential statistics is the process used to assign numbers to variables of individual population units.
d. descriptive statistics are measurements that are recorded on a naturally occurring numerical scale. inferential statistics are measurements that cannot be measured on a natural number scale, they can only be classified into one of a group of categories.

Explanation:

🆕 New Concept Discovered: Descriptive vs. Inferential Statistics
Organizing data vs. making predictions

Step 1: Define Descriptive Statistics

Descriptive statistics consists of methods for organizing, displaying, and summarizing data. This branch of statistics focuses entirely on the properties of the observed data at hand (using tools like graphs, tables, averages, and percentages) without making any generalizations beyond that specific group.

Step 2: Define Inferential Statistics

Inferential statistics consists of methods that use sample data to make decisions, predictions, or generalizations about a larger population. It involves taking a representative sample and "inferring" trends about the whole group.

Step 3: Evaluate the Options

• A. This option reverses the definitions. It incorrectly states that descriptive statistics draws conclusions and inferential statistics summarizes data.
• B. This option correctly states that descriptive statistics describes sets of data, while inferential statistics draws conclusions about sets of data based on sampling.
• C. This option defines experimental units and measurement scales, not the two main branches of statistics.
• D. This option describes quantitative and qualitative data types rather than descriptive and inferential statistics.

Answer:

B. Descriptive statistics describes sets of data. Inferential statistics draws conclusions about the sets of data based on sampling.