Define descriptive and inferential statistics.
Prepare a 700- to 1,050-word paper in which you examine the differences between descriptive and inferential statistics.
Address the following items:
· Describe the functions of statistics.
· Define descriptive and inferential statistics.
· Provide at least one example of the relationship between descriptive and inferential statistics.
ALL I NEED IS THE INTRODUCTION AND CONCLUSION.EACH PART SHOULD BE NO MORE THEN 150 WORDS. SO 300 IN TOTAL. BOTH PARTS SHOULD BE VERY STRONG.YOU CAN LOOK OVER THE PAPER AND SEE IF ANY CHANGES OR CORRECTIONS NEED TO BE MADn
Descriptive Paper 1
DESCRIPTIVE & INFERENTIAL STATISTICS
Descriptive & Inferential Statistics Paper
Team A
Lakisha Hooker
Rachel Soto
Emma Weitzel
Psych 315
October 24th 2013
Mr. Avery
Descriptive & Inferential Statistics
Introduction-I NEED TO DO
Functions of Statistics
When trying to understand the function or role of statistics in psychology many things may come to mind. The function or role of statistics in psychology is to give a better understanding of information and data gathered in tests and research. Articles with statistical data attempt to show that one particular therapy is more effective than another (Abt, 2010).This is very important because it is how a patient can be given the best treatment possible.
Statistics will also demonstrate when there is a relationship between two or more variables (Abt, 2010). Statistics will show the differences between groups, such as certain variables that may differ in people in a study. Statistics can also show associations between groups, for example associations between red wine consumption and cardiac health, lastly statistics can show time-to-event or survival data which measures the length of time to an event (Abt, 2010).
Definitions
Descriptive Statistics
Descriptive statistics are used to help when doing research. Boeree (2005), “Descriptive statistics are ways of summarizing large sets of quantitative (numerical) information.” The information that is collected from doing research needs to be put in to manageable terms. “National Atlas” (2013), “Descriptive statistics can include graphical summaries that show the spread of the data, and numerical summaries that either measure the central tendency (a ‘typical’ data value) of a data set or that describe the spread of the data.” By using these tools the data can be quickly read, and make the data applicable.
Inferential Statistics
“Inferential Statistics: Introduction” (n.d.), “Inferential statistics are used to make generalizations from a sample to a population.” From that inferences are made from that the data the can be applied theoretically applied to the population as a whole. According to Albrecht (n.d.), “They determine probability of characteristics of population based on the characteristics of your sample.” A sample is used for obvious reasons such as there is no way to include every one and it would not be cost effective. So with inferential statistics the generalizations can be made about the whole population as well as figure out the probability that what was discovered in the research can be applied to the population as a whole.
Relationship Between Descriptive & Inferential Statistics
There are many similarities and differences between descriptive and inferential statistics. Though both are key factors in research, they each provide different analytical perspectives of data. The relationship between the two is incredibly important. In order for one to understand inferential statistics, he or she must understand descriptive statistics.
As written in the Encyclopedia of Research Design (2010), “Descriptive statistical methods are also foundational in the sense that inferential methods are conceptually dependent on them and use them as their building blocks” (para. 2). For instance, in order for one to understand how analysis of variance or t tests are used, he or she must understand the concept of variance, which is found in descriptive statistics. Before one can understand how to use inferential methods such as regression or multiple regressions, he or she must understand the descriptive correlation coefficient (Brown, 2010).
Oftentimes, when studies of inferential statistics are being concluded, descriptive statistics are still presented. The descriptive statistics provide supporting information to inferential statistics, while giving a sense of direction (Brown, 2010). As stated in the Encyclopedia of Research Design (2010), “For the most part, each of these high-level multivariate descriptive statistical methods can be matched to a corresponding inferential multivariate statistical method to provide both a description of the data from a sample and inferences to the population” (para. 3). The descriptive statistics, along with a combination of inferential statistics, provide more meaningful results.
Conclusion-I NEED TO DO
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References
Abt, E. (2010). Understanding statistics 1. Evidence – Based Dentistry, 11(2), 60-1. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/sj.ebd.6400728
Albrecht, C. (n.d.). Inferential Statistics. Retrieved from http://extension.usu.edu/evaluation/files/uploads/Start%20Your%20Engine/Study%20the%20Route/Analyze%20the%20Data/UsingInferentialStatistics.pdf
Boeree, C. G. (2005). Descriptive statistics.. Retrieved from http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/descstats.html
Brown, B. (2010). Descriptive statistics. In N. Salkind (Ed.), Encyclopedia of research design. (pp. 353-360). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc. doi:http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/10.4135/9781412961288.n111
Inferential Statistics: Introduction. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://psychology.ucdavis.edu/sommerb/sommerdemo/stat_inf/intro.htm
National Atlas . (2013). Retrieved from
http://nationalatlas.gov/articles/mapping/a_statistics.html