What is it that simple descriptive data suggest? What does it provide? Most people will look at this marginal information and ultimately ask, "so what?" How is the information related to the reason why the effect is occurring? For assumptions on descriptive statistics, another question we could ask is what was the sample population and is it truly representative of the larger population? For example how are crime rates determined? Was it strictly based on reported crimes or the outcome of a self-report survey? Without drawing a truly representative sample of the entire population, assumptions may not be correct. The two types of statistics are descriptive and inferential. The former describes the population while the latter, using a variety of variables attempts to assume some conclusions about the population.

There are two types or classes of statistical data that we are concerned with in this question. They both serve a purpose but are quite different in what they report. In order to expand your research language it may be important to examine opinion polls that are often used to "speak" about a particular topic or event. Included in those polls is margin of error which is a necessary component of the inferences made based on the data. If that margin is + or - 3 that is a 6 point range. Or that the inferences could change significantly a suggested outcome. What is generally related or referred to as the "inside" of a poll is who is being asked the question and how was the question phrased. For example: Have you stopped beating your wife? May be a good DV question but there is no answer. If one agrees then it presumes that they have beat her in the past. If they respond in the negative it means they continue to beat her.

We just passed the political season were flooded with polls on many topics. In recent times there was a poll asking the question about public employees and unions. Those polled largely consisted of public employees and teachers. The validity of that poll is certainly questionable.

Question:

What is the difference between descriptive and inferential statistics? Provide an example of each? What assumptions apply to each? Which type of these statistics will you utilize to test your hypothesis for your thesis? Provide an example.