Descriptive Statistics

This is a set of methods to describe data that we have collected.

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.

Example 1.

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.

"Henry never sells more than 2 cars on a Sunday."

Although this statement is true for the last 3 Sundays, we do not know that this is true for all Sundays.

"Henry is selling fewer cars lately because people have caught on to his dirty tricks."

There is nothing in the information given that tells us that this statement is true.

"Henry sold 0 cars last Sunday because he fell asleep in one of the cars on the lot."

Again, this statement is not verifiable based upon the information provided.

Practice:

Which of the following conclusions can be obtained from purely descriptive methods and which can be obtained by
inferential methods?

Seatwork Answers:

Answers
a) This conclusion can be obtained from purely descriptive measures. We can verify from the data provided that the
actual average for these four semesters is 15.
b) This solution requires inferential methods. Although it may seem reasonable that the next semester will be similar
to the previous four, we have no way of knowing until the dust actually settles.
c) This conclusion requires inferential methods. Although this instructor did not pass more than 20 students in the
previous four semesters, we have no way of knowing if this will hold true in the future.
d) This conclusion can be obtained from purely descriptive methods. We can verify from the actual data that 20 or
fewer students passed in each of the four previous semesters.
e) This conclusion requires inferential methods. Although the instructor may have indeed been in a bad mood for
the entire semester, we can not verify this from the data or statements.
f) This conclusion requires inferential methods. Although the instructor may have been trying to keep the
administration off of his back, we can not verify this from the data or statements.
g) This conclusion requires inferential methods. Although this instructor may dislike teaching Intermediate Algebra,
we can not verify this from the data or statements.