...Descriptive and Inferential Statistics PSY/315 Statistical Reasoning in Psychology September 21, 2013 Dr. Nancy Walker Descriptive and Inferential Statistics Statistics is “a branch of mathematics that focuses on the organization, analysis, and interpretation of a group of numbers” (Aron, Aron, & Coups, 2009, p. 2). However, just the mention of statistics makes people nervous, although when properly understood, many of the questions statistics tries to answer are very provocative and challenging. Statistics are a collection of information and, data that helps test the theory something is happening or will happen again. The functions of statistics are there to help researchers have a better understanding of a phenomenon. Statistics can be used when looking for the truth, if you have ever had a hunch about something, was it confirmed? Yes the hunch was confirmed. Statistics help researchers with data by using math and working with a group of numbers. Statistics studies variables, characteristics that have different values, values, possible number that a score can have, and score one person value of a variable (Aron, Aron, & Coups, 2009). Descriptive and inferential statistics are to evaluate results and enable one to make a conclusion. Descriptive statistics are a way to describe data (Laird Statistics, 2013), as well as to “summarize and describe a group of numbers from a research study,” whereas, inferential statistics are used to “draw conclusions and...
Words: 1507 - Pages: 7
...Descriptive and Inferential Statistics Statistics are all-around and used in everyday life. Statistics are used to describe how effective a medication is for a certain disorder to what the most popular color is in the United States. According to Aron, Aron, and Coups, 2009, “statistics is a method of pursuing truth. As a minimum, statistics can tell you the likelihood that your hunch is true in this time and place and with these sorts of people” (p. 2). Psychologist use two branches of statistics to summarize his or her results and those are descriptive and inferential statistics. This paper will discuss the function of statistics, what descriptive and inferential statistics are, and the relationship between descriptive and inferential statistics. Statistics are used in almost every branch of study and is found behind the scenes in many of our normal daily activities. From economic to scientific studies, statistics are utilized in one way or another. Statistics are an essential part of understanding information and expanding knowledge base and is encompasses almost all aspects of enquiry ("7 Most Essential Functions Of Statistics", 2012). Statistics have many functions that we utilize;statisticsprovides for a better understanding of phenomenon of nature and helps in proper and statistical planning in all forms of study. Using statistics helps in collecting useful quantitative data and also aids in presenting difficult or confusing data in an understandable way. Statistics facilitate...
Words: 1232 - Pages: 5
... 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 research that, will provide a foundation to his or her thesis. For example, a person could use descriptive statistics to evaluate the answers on an exam taken by 400 American students, and use descriptive statistics to determine the overall performance of the 400 students at that school. By using descriptive statistics, the analyzer can use his or her findings, to provide useful information regarding which subjects students need to improve most in, and which minority group or grade level are grasping the educational tools provided at the school more effectively, then those not grasping the provided educational tools and still need more room for improvement. While descriptive statistics helps an analyzer assess an immediate group of data from a single population, inferential statistics allow an analyzer to collect data using bits and pieces of samples which are portions of a collection of data focusing on the group or population of interest in which the analyzer research is concentrated on at the time. Inferential statistics will allow the analyzer to create a...
Words: 699 - Pages: 3
...Descriptive and Inferential Statistics Paper Casie Thibeault PSY/315 July 27, 2013 Michelle A. Williams, PhD Descriptive and Inferential Statistics Paper The very word “statistics” seems to produce anxiety in most students - anxiety produced from its connection to mathematics. The first step in controlling anxiety is to understand the connection and just how useful statistics can be for comprehending information that has been gathered. A statistic is a representation of information, and its function is to help researchers either to organize, summarize, or understand data. The ability to describe data is essential when gathering statistics. Statistics can be broken down into two basic types: descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics are a summary of information that makes the data presented more easily understood. The descriptive method is limited to only the population in which the researcher is dealing with, and only describes that particular group (Purdue OWL, 1995-2013). Inferential statistics offers a more detailed conclusion regarding the hypothesis. A benefit of the inferential method is that it can be used to take a broader view of populations, making it possible to draw conclusions about sizeable groups of people (Purdue OWL, 1995-2013). In a nutshell, the simple way to distinguish between the two would be that descriptive statistics summarize and inferential statistics draw conclusions. Both descriptive and inferential...
Words: 1196 - Pages: 5
...Descriptive and Inferential Statistics Paper Terrance Douglas, Katie Faiman, Marika Schlindwein, Christyl Schoultz, & Samantha Sisk PSY/315 February 3, 2013 Dr. Deborah Suzzane Descriptive and Inferential Statistics Paper Have you ever noticed that we just keep moving forward? There are countless, unseen individuals who make this happen each day, but how do they operate? How do they accomplish all of this? We live in a complex world. Behind the scenes, researchers are steadily developing new theories and testing their outcome. For them, statistics serves a very different purpose. In the next few paragraphs, the role of statistics is explained as their role in the psychological community. Statistics itself is then further subdivided into two different methodologies; descriptive and the inferential (Aaron & Aaron & Coups, 2009). Each method utilizes data for a different purpose, and in each method, data may be gathered differently. Lastly, an example of each of the two types of statistics which helps the reader to distinguish clearly between the descriptive and inferential types of statistics which researchers use to conduct their work. It will further be shown how the two methods of statistics relate to each other in research. It is by understanding the two different roles of each of these types of statistics that researchers are able to gather meaningful data, which is testable and provable and keeps us on a forward moving trajectory...
Words: 1193 - Pages: 5
...Marketing Research Take Home Final Examination Name: Ma. Cristina Abella Course/Year: BSBA-MM 3 Case 1. Kendalures Requirement: Design the questionnaire for the fishermen who will use the lures. Develop a set of 20 questions maximum. The questions should be a variation among open-ended and closed-ended questions (i.e. dichotomous, multiple responses (with rating scales if appropriate)). The questionnaire should be formatted that is inclusive of all the prescribed parts of a marketing research questionnaire starting with opening comments that should be verbalized when approaching fishermen who are launching their boats. (35 points) RESEARCH QUESTIONNAIRE Thank you for your help with our research. The following questions serve as a guide to collect information as you test our exciting new product. We are very interested in your experience and your opinions. At the end of these, please feel free to add your own comments. We realize there may be no definitive answers to any of these questions, but as an experienced fisherman, you have a very good general idea. We are looking more for trends and opinions based on your expertise. 1. What time of day were you fishing? Before 6:00 am 12:00pm – 4:00 pm 6:00 am - 8:00 am 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm 8:00 am - 10:00 am 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm 10:00 am – 12:00 pm After 8:00 pm 2. What would you pay for something that increased your catch 300-800%? Would you pay P500.00? Would you pay...
Words: 1669 - Pages: 7
...Using a spot the difference puzzle to find out whether being a lark or an owl affects your alertness in the morning or the evening. Results were then tested on significance using the Wilcoxon T test to decide whether the results found were reliable, or just down to chance. In theory, a lark should be more alert in the morning than in the evening compared to an owl who would be more alert in the evening. To test thins the participants were given two spot the difference puzzles and had to complete one in the morning and one in the evening. This in using the repeated measures method. This was tested on 49 participants who completed an MEQ (morning evening questionnaire) particapnats were tested in their homes at set times and given 1 minute to complete the spot the difference puzzles. Results were then tested on significance using the Wilcoxon T test to decide whether the results found were reliable, or just down to chance. Introduction The aim of the investigation was to find out the answer to the question ‘are people more alert at their preferred time of day?’ To test this, the procedures were based on the theory that A lark should be more alert in the morning and so should be able to score higher in the morning than the evening and an owl should be more alert in the evening than the morning therefore scoring higher than the larks in the evening. This hypothesis is a One-tailed Hypothesis because it is directional, these are the 4 possible hypothesis that can be tested...
Words: 904 - Pages: 4
...Statistics in Psychology Team B April 5, 2014 PSY/315 Nancy Walker Many people find the topic of statistics to be very difficult and a world of confusion. If asked, most would simplify statistics to being a breakdown of information using those colorful charts and graphs. This paper will give a brief introduction into the world of statistics by examining the differences between descriptive and inferential statistics, as well as, introduce some key terms that are frequently used. It will also describe the functions of statistics and describe how they are applied in the field of psychology. Having a better understanding of the various statistical functions and definitions, we will have a better opportunity at providing examples and prove that statistics is more than just colorful charts and graphs. Statistics is where a large amount of data is put together in a format that allows the viewer to understand it better. Whenever choosing an experiment that results in statistics, one would start with a hypothesis, or idea. This gives the entire process a purpose. The function of statistics appears for various reasons. When there is a large amount of data, it organizes it so that a viewer and/or a presenter can comprehend or present it easier. A way that it is organized is through charts and graphs, which shows the clarity. Another function is to show comparisons between two or more clumps of data. Statistics helps in forecasting trends and tendencies. Statistical techniques...
Words: 745 - Pages: 3
...Data Collection Data Collection Ballard Integrated Managed Services Inc. (BMIS) located in New York city is a nationwide organization that specializes in providing services such as housekeeping and foodservices to 22 of Fortunes top 100 companies. Their clientele also consists of over 100 firms, 16 major universities, 14 medical centers, as well as 3 regional airports. BMIS is broken down into three divisions’ hospitality, food service, and physical plant maintenance, it also employees both full and part time workers. Recently, within the past four months general manger Barbara Tucker has noticed the turnover rate within her three divisions has reached over 64% annually as compared to the average rate between 55%and 60% (University of Phoenix, 2011, BIMS, Inc. Part I). The company moral at BMIS has reached an all time low and management has not improved its relationship with employee’s .Could this be one of the reason behind the increasing turnover rate? There has also been an increased usage of paid time off (PTO). The purpose of this research analysis is to find a solution to the increasing turnover rate as well as help improve company moral and get divisions at BMIS back on track. Instrument Design The data collection instrument used in this analysis was a survey. A survey can be defined as a tool used to collect information by asking questions recording responses on individual opinions and attitudes. BMIS administered a survey to allow...
Words: 1727 - Pages: 7
...box plot and dot plot charts it shows that employees are 2% satisfied with how they are receiving a response for the request for the desire shift fulfilled using the dotplot chart. Using the box chart plot the count is at 78, the mean at 2.81, the sample is 1.41, and the final sample is 1.98. The first quarter using the box plot is 2.00, and the mean is 3.00, while the 3rd quarter is at 4.00, the interquarter is 2.00, with the final category of the mode at 2.00 using the descriptive statistics to final the results for the box plot. This is also used with the frequency distribution- Quantitative and shows the frequency at 78 and the percentage at 100.0. Also using the histogram to find the results at a percentage of 25% are satisfied with the request for the desired shift was fulfilled, the highest point at 2 on the histogram chart. Question four is how many sick days in the past month? The boxplot shows this at a different point than question threes mark as it is lower and using the descriptive statistics shows the count at 78, the mean at 2.77 and the sample at 1.51 and the sample at 2.28. The highest point on the dotplot is at 2 and using the frequency distribution to find the employees have a 100% of how many sick days in the past month. Using other methods to determine that the employees are near 30% using the histogram, and the frequency polygon with how many sick days in the past...
Words: 297 - Pages: 2
...Rodney Goudy RES/351 July 6, 2015 Tracy Sipma 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 numbers we estimate are essentially illustrative averages. For instance the Dow Jones Industrial tells us about the typical performance of select firms. The grade-point avg. tells us about the typical performance of a pupil in school. The GDP growth rate tells us about the typical performance of a state. Therefore illustrative statistics attempts to catch a sizable group of observations and offers us some concept concerning the data-set. Descriptive statistics aims to describe data set information with summary graphs and tables (Linda Hollis, n.d.). Inferential Statistics Inferential statistics includes drawing the correct conclusions from your statistical evaluation that's been performed using descriptive data. Ultimately, it really is the inferences that make studies significant and this element is dealt with-in inferential data. Most forecasts of the potential and generalizations of a population by analyzing a smaller sample come under the scope of inferential statistics. Many social sciences experiments offer with analyzing...
Words: 904 - Pages: 4
...Descriptive and Inferential Statistics ________________________________________ Statistics can be broken into two basic types. The first is known as descriptive statistics. This is a set of methods to describe data that we have collected. Ex. Of 350 randomly selected people in the town of Luserna, Italy, 280 people had the last name Nicolussi. An example of descriptive statistics is the following statement : "80% of these people have the last name Nicolussi." Ex. On the last 3 Sundays, Henry D. Carsalesman sold 2, 1, and 0 new cars respectively. An example of descriptive statistics is the following statement : "Henry averaged 1 new car sold for the last 3 Sundays." These are both descriptive statements because they can actually be verified from the information provided. The second type of statistics in inferential statistics. This is a set of methods used to make a generalization, estimate, prediction or decision. Ex. Of 350 randomly selected people in the town of Luserna, Italy, 280 people had the last name Nicolussi. An example of inferential statistics is the following statement : "80% of all people living in Italy have the last name Nicolussi." We have no information about all people living in Italy, just about the 350 living in Luserna. We have taken that information and generalized it to talk about all people living in Italy. The easiest way to tell that this statement is not descriptive is by trying to verify it based upon the information provided. Ex....
Words: 2703 - Pages: 11
...Understanding Business Research Terms and Concepts: Part 2 Justin Wilson RES 351 Business Research 31 Mar 2015 Biman Ghosh 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. Descriptive statistics do not, however, allow us to make conclusions beyond the data we have analysed or reach conclusions regarding any hypotheses we might have made. They are simply a way to describe our data. Descriptive statistics are very important because if we simply presented our raw data it would be hard to visulize what the data was showing, especially if there was a lot of it. Descriptive statistics therefore enables us to present the data in a more meaningful way, which allows simpler interpretation of the data. For example, if we had the results of 100 pieces of students' coursework, we may be interested in the overall performance of those students. We would also be interested in the distribution or spread of the marks. Descriptive statistics allow us to do this. How to properly describe data through statistics and graphs is an important topic and discussed in other Laerd Statistics guides. Typically, there are two general types of statistic that are used to describe data: * Measures of central tendency: these are ways of describing the central position of a frequency distribution for a group of data. In this case, the frequency distribution...
Words: 1657 - Pages: 7
...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 numbers we estimate are essentially illustrative averages. For instance the Dow Jones Industrial tells us about the typical performance of select firms. The grade-point avg. tells us about the typical performance of a pupil in school. The GDP growth rate tells us about the typical performance of a state. Therefore illustrative statistics attempts to catch a sizable group of observations and offers us some concept concerning the data-set. Descriptive statistics aims to describe data set information with summary graphs and tables (Linda Hollis, n.d.). Inferential Statistics Inferential statistics includes drawing the correct conclusions from your statistical evaluation that's been performed using descriptive data. Ultimately, it really is the inferences that make studies significant and this element is dealt with-in inferential data. Most forecasts of the potential and generalizations of a population by analyzing a smaller sample come under the scope of inferential statistics. Many social sciences experiments offer with analyzing...
Words: 915 - Pages: 4
...Statistics: Highly Informative Latosha Greer BUS308: Statistics for Managers Instructor Hayes June 1, 2014 In this essay I am aim to discuss the differences between descriptive statistics and Inferential statistics and the reasons why we use them. I will also discuss hypothesis development and testing, when to select the appropriate statistical test, and how to evaluating statistical results. In this class I learned the difference between descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. We use descriptive statistics to measure and analysis data. There are a number of reasons why we use Descriptive statistics. We use it, because Descriptive statistics numerical summaries measure the central tendency of a data set, it can include graphical summaries that show the spread of the data, and they provide simple summaries about the sample that help interpret and analyze data. First, there are a number of reasons why we use descriptive statistics we use it because descriptive statistics numerical summaries that either measure the central tendency of a data set. In business therefore descriptive statistics helps in making conclusions about various issues and therefore helps in making decision. Description statistics is the first step in analyzing data before making inferences of data, therefore it is important in analyzing any data collected that will help in describing the characteristics of data collected. There are three measurements that we tend to use. One measurement...
Words: 1422 - Pages: 6
