True / False: Descriptive statistics aims to make generalizations about a population based on sample data.

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

When evaluating statements about descriptive statistics, we need to separate what descriptive statistics do from what inferential statistics do.
Option 1: 'True' — claiming that descriptive statistics aim to make generalizations about a population based on sample data is misleading. Descriptive statistics are used to summarize and describe the features of a data set, such as measures of center and spread, or the shape of a distribution, usually for the data at hand without drawing inferences about a larger population.
Option 2: 'False' — this option correctly distinguishes the role of descriptive statistics from inferential statistics. The statement, as written, attributes generalization to descriptive statistics, which is not their purpose; generalizing from a sample to a population is the domain of inferential statistics, which uses sampling theory, confidence intervals, and hypothesis testing to make inferences beyond the observed data.
To further clarify, think of descriptive statistics as a summary snapshot of the collected data (e.g., mean, median, standard deviation, frequency tables). Inference requires tools that account for sampling variability and uncertainty in order to make claims about populations, not just the sample at hand.
In short, the misalignment lies in equating description with population-wide generalization; the former is descriptive, while the latter is the realm of inference.

STP420 - Probability and Statistics STP420 - Module 1 - Quiz STP420 - Probability and Statistics STP420 - Module 1 - Quiz

True / False: Descriptive statistics aims to make generalizations about a population based on sample data.

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