Descriptive statistics aim to

Descriptive statistics aim to

• A. Infer population differences
• B. Describe sample characteristics and distribution
• C. Test hypotheses
• D. Determine causality

Answer: (B)

Descriptive statistics are about summarizing the data you actually collected. They describe the sample’s characteristics and how the data are distributed. This includes measures of central tendency like the average, median, and mode, as well as measures of variability such as the range, variance, and standard deviation. It also involves describing the shape of the distribution (for example, whether scores are spread out or skewed) and often presenting counts or percentages for categories. The point is to give a clear, concise picture of the data you have, without making claims beyond that sample. Inferring population differences, testing hypotheses, or determining causality requires steps beyond simple description and relies on inferential methods or experimental design. For example, you might summarize a class’s test scores with the mean and standard deviation, but you wouldn’t use descriptive statistics alone to conclude whether the entire population of students performs differently or to establish a cause-and-effect relationship.

Descriptive statistics are about summarizing the data you actually collected. They describe the sample’s characteristics and how the data are distributed. This includes measures of central tendency like the average, median, and mode, as well as measures of variability such as the range, variance, and standard deviation. It also involves describing the shape of the distribution (for example, whether scores are spread out or skewed) and often presenting counts or percentages for categories.

The point is to give a clear, concise picture of the data you have, without making claims beyond that sample. Inferring population differences, testing hypotheses, or determining causality requires steps beyond simple description and relies on inferential methods or experimental design. For example, you might summarize a class’s test scores with the mean and standard deviation, but you wouldn’t use descriptive statistics alone to conclude whether the entire population of students performs differently or to establish a cause-and-effect relationship.