Descriptive vs. Inferential Statistics

The field of statistics is divided into two major divisions: descriptive and inferential. Each of these segments is important, offering different techniques that accomplish different objectives. Descriptive statistics describe what is going on in a  population  or  data set. Inferential statistics, by contrast, allow scientists to take findings from a sample group and generalize them to a larger population. The two types of statistics have some important differences. Descriptive Statistics Descriptive statistics is the type of statistics that probably springs to most people’s minds when they hear the word â€Å"statistics.† In this branch of statistics, the goal is to describe. Numerical measures are used to tell about features of a set of data. There are a number of items that belong in this portion of statistics, such as: The average, or measure of the center of a data set, consisting of the mean, median, mode, or midrangeThe spread of a data set, which can be measured with the range or standard deviationOverall descriptions of data such as the five number summaryMeasurements such as skewness and kurtosisThe exploration of relationships and correlation between paired dataThe presentation of statistical results in graphical form These measures are important and useful because they allow scientists to see patterns among data, and thus to make sense of that data. Descriptive statistics can only be used to describe the population or data set under study: The results cannot be generalized to any other group or population. Types of Descriptive Statistics There are two kinds of descriptive statistics that social scientists use: Measures of central tendency  capture general trends within the data and are calculated and expressed as the mean,  median, and  mode. A mean tells scientists the mathematical average of all of a data set, such as the average age at first marriage; the median represents the middle of the data distribution, like the age that sits in the middle of the range of ages at which people first marry; and, the mode might be the most common age at which people first marry. Measures of spread  describe how the data are distributed and relate to each other, including: The range, the entire range of values present in a data setThe  frequency distribution, which defines how many times a particular value occurs within a data setQuartiles, subgroups formed within a data set when all values are divided into four equal parts across the rangeMean absolute deviation, the average of how much each value deviates from the meanVariance, which illustrates how much of a spread exists in the dataStandard deviation, which illustrates the spread of data relative to the mean Measures of spread are often visually represented in tables, pie and bar charts, and histograms to aid in the understanding of the trends within the data. Inferential Statistics Inferential statistics are produced through complex mathematical calculations that allow scientists to infer trends about a larger population based on a study of a sample taken from it. Scientists use inferential statistics to examine the relationships between variables within a sample and then make generalizations or predictions about how those variables will relate  to  a larger population. It is usually impossible to examine each member of the population individually. So scientists choose a representative subset of the population, called a  statistical sample, and from this analysis, they are able to say something about the population from which the sample came. There are two major divisions of inferential statistics: A confidence interval gives a range of values for an unknown parameter of the population by measuring a statistical sample. This is expressed in terms of an interval and the degree of confidence that the parameter is within the interval.Tests of significance or hypothesis testing  where scientists make a claim about the population by analyzing a statistical sample. By design, there is some uncertainty in this process. This can be expressed in terms of a level of significance. Techniques that social scientists use to examine the relationships between variables, and thereby to create inferential statistics, include linear regression analyses,  logistic regression analyses,  ANOVA,  correlation analyses,  structural equation modeling, and survival analysis. When conducting research using inferential statistics, scientists conduct a test of significance to determine whether they can  generalize their results to a larger population. Common tests of significance include  the  chi-square  and  t-test. These tell scientists the probability that the results of their  analysis of the sample are representative of the population as a whole. Descriptive vs. Inferential Statistics Although descriptive statistics is helpful in learning things such as the spread and center of the data, nothing in descriptive statistics can be used to make any generalizations. In descriptive statistics, measurements such as the mean and standard deviation are stated as exact numbers. Even though inferential statistics uses some similar calculations — such as the mean and standard deviation — the focus is different for inferential statistics. Inferential statistics start with a sample and then generalizes to a population. This information about a population is not stated as a number. Instead, scientists express these parameters as a range of potential numbers, along with a degree of confidence.

Romantic Essay, The Streetcar Named Desire The Catcher In...

The pieces I have chosen to be apart of my portfolio are the Catcher in the Rye essay, the American rebels powerpoint, the Streetcar Named Desire essay and the Catcher In The Rye fishbowl. I chose to include the Catcher in the Rye essay because it showcased my ability to explain in detail quotes from the book and expand on one idea. I also chose this essay because I got an 82% which I believe is a good grade for a hard essay topic such as the symbolism of the ducks. In addition, I chose the Catcher In The Rye fishbowl because it showed my ability to work cooperatively with my peers and actively listen to one another. Overall I earned a 92% on the fishbowl which is an A-. Lastly, I chose the American Rebels project because I did a very good†¦show more content†¦The piece of writing that showcased my ability to write about nonfiction topics and my ability to put research that I found on the internet into my own words is the American Rebel presentation. Along with a powerpoint presentation, I also wrote an essay about Ida B. Wells that in my opinion showed my ability to also be able to write about true life instead of writing about a book. I have progressed as a writer because now I can not only write fiction, but I can also write non-fiction essays as well. One of the parts of the Ida B. Wells essay that I did very well on was my topic sentences and their relation to the body paragraph. With my topic sentences I got straight to the point of what I was going to be talking about, for example, â€Å"Ida can be viewed as a non-conformist because she fought for black rights and illegal torture†. Then I went on to talk about her fight for black rights. The piece of work that showed I am a good listener and my progress as speaker was the Catcher In The Rye fishbowl. During the fishbowl I engaged in conversation multiple times and gave my ideas to the group. I also listened attentively to my peers during the fishbowl and added on to what they were saying . I earned a score of 56/60 for student participates effectively. This included, using time effectively in the fishbowl, three quotes or passages used and student engages in a

Same Sex Schools vs Co-Ed Schools Free Essays

Summary: The government of Trinidad and Tobago has been proposing the idea to introduce more same co-education schools. Co-education means boys and girls attending the same school and sharing the same classrooms. Although, according to the article students who attend same sex schools academically outperform those in co-educational schools, particularly female same sex schools. We will write a custom essay sample on Same Sex Schools vs Co-Ed Schools or any similar topic only for you Order Now An argument concludes that co-educational schools help with the hidden curriculum of schools. Theoretical Discussion: Education is one aspect of socialization: it involves the acquisition of knowledge and the learning of skills, whether, intentionally or unintentionally, education often also helps to shape beliefs and moral values. (Haralambos 2004). The education system consist of a formal and a hidden curriculum, formal, being the standardized curriculum which professionals are hired to relate the curriculum within a classroom setting and the hidden curriculum are the social attitudes and values taught in school that prepare children to accept the requirements of adult life and to fit into the social, political and economic statuses the society provides. It is generally recognized  that girls do better academically at single sex schools, as do boys. The theory is that because girls mature faster than boys and it can be difficult for teachers to accommodate the differences in development rates in a co-education environment. Other contributing factors are simply that there are fewer distractions for both boys and girls in a single sex environment. Another benefit of a single sex education is the freedom to make educational choices without worrying that you may be the only girl or boy in the class or the threat of judgment because you want to study traditionally masculine subjects like physics and technical drawing, or traditionally girly subjects like literature and home education. The question is; are these single sex schools creating socially enabled persons? A co-educational environment maybe more reflective of society this is because it encourages competition between boys and girls. Both sexes naturally will compete against each other in exams and that competitive spirit will encourage everyone to do their best. Also, it replicates basic opposite sex interaction which is unquestionably present and needed in society, therefore, they get a different perspective of things as well as learn to understand one another better. With the interaction in class, even the shyest student will feel comfortable with the opposite sex and can soon work together normally. Opinion: In my view being in a co-education school does not mean socializing with the opposite sex only. It means that a student can maintain a balance when choosing friends and learn to treat everyone the same. Also, I really think being in a co-educational school promotes better behavior. Boys are naturally rough by nature and girls more gentle. When both sexes interact, the boys tend to tone down their behavior so that the girls will be friends with them. I feel that some boys in single-sex schools do not know how to behave when they meet girls. Some act like hooligans or shy away when, in fact, if they were in a co-educational school, they would be above all that, given the exceptions. Therefore, I think that students from co-educational schools will be more mature and will be quicker to adept to society fulfilling the hidden curriculums with a slight dwindle on the formal curriculum. How to cite Same Sex Schools vs Co-Ed Schools, Papers

The Functions Of The Chorus In Oedipus free essay sample

The King Essay, Research Paper In many Grecian calamities, the Chorus serves an of import function. It is used for many things, such as clear uping the feelings of the characters and to set up and indicate out the significance of facts in the narrative. In Oedipus the King, the Chorus serves these maps, every bit good as to give the reader penetration into the beliefs of the ancient Greeks. The maps of the Chorus are non merely for dramatic intents. The Chorus was foremost used in Grecian calamities for the interest of the audience. In ancient Greece, dramas were performed in big amphitheatres that would sit around 10 thousand people. The histrions had no manner of projecting their voices, so a group of histrions would read the lines together. This made it easier for the whole audience to hear what was being said ( Wat ) . As dramatists developed the constructs of single histrions, the function of the Chorus was reduced. We will write a custom essay sample on The Functions Of The Chorus In Oedipus or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page However, they still had an of import function in the drama. The dramatists used the Chorus to set up facts in the drama, to clear up certain events, to reflect the society # 8217 ; s mentality, to give penetration into a character # 8217 ; s emotions, and to indicate out of import events as they occur ( Wat ) . This is particularly apparent in Oedipus the King. On page nine, the Chorus has its first speaking portion in the drama ( which is known as the parados ) , and it is raising the Gods and inquiring them for aid. A pestilence befell the metropolis of Thebes in which their harvests and people were deceasing. The Oracle of Delphi said that the pestilence would merely stop when the slayer of Laius ( the former male monarch of Thebes ) was found. Here, the Chorus is giving the reader penetration into Grecian civilization: O Prophecy of Jove, whose words are sweet, With what day of reckoning art 1000 sent To glorious Thebes, from Pytho # 8217 ; s gilded place? I am overwrought with fearful admiration, I thrill with panic, and wait reverentially Yea, Io Paean, Delian Godhead, on thee! The Chorus is mentioning to the Prophecy of Jove, or Zeus. It is inquiring why the Gods chose to direct a pestilence to their metropolis. The Chorus is reflecting the society # 8217 ; s feelings about the pestilence, because it says that it is # 8220 ; distraught with fearful admiration # 8221 ; and # 8220 ; bang with terror. # 8221 ; This indicates that the Greeks believe in the authorization of their Supreme beings, and esteem their determinations. This transition besides gives insight into Grecian beliefs by doing mentions to some of the Grecian Gods and goddesses like Artemis, the Goddess of the Moon, and Phoebus, the God of the Sun. After Tiresias, the blind prophesier, tells Oedipus that he is the 1 who killed Laius, he is ferocious. He refuses to believe Tiresias and makes accusals against him and Creon, his ain brother-in-law ( and uncle ) . On page twenty-seven, the Chorus reacts to what merely took topographic point: True, Zeus so, and Apollo are wise, And apprehenders of what concerns mankind ; But that word of a visionary, a adult male like me, Weighs more than mine, for a adult male to value, Is all unsure. In this transition, the Chorus says that even though Tiresias is a prophesier, he is still a mortal adult male. He may be able to see what is traveling to go on in the hereafter and his word may # 8220 ; weigh more # 8221 ; than that of a common adult male, but he does non hold the power of the Gods. Even though Tiresias # 8217 ; word weighs more than a normal adult male # 8217 ; s does, it is still non every bit credible as the word of the Gods. Sophocles could be making this to clearly divide the powers of the Supreme beings from that of a mortal adult male. He could besides be making this to construct suspense in the drama. On page forty-seven of the text, the Chorus is speaking about Oedipus # 8217 ; defect. It is obvious to the reader that Oedipus has certain defects, such as pride, a speedy pique, etc. Oedipus # 8217 ; pride is particularly apparent, because he talks about how he solved the Riddle of the Sphinx and saved Thebes from her. He frequently referred to this and was proud of that and the fact that he became the male monarch of Thebes. The Chorus refers to Oedipus # 8217 ; pride on page 47: Pride is the source of male monarchs ; Pride, when puffed up, in vain, with many Thingss Unreasonable, inappropriate, mounts the wall, Merely to travel rapidly to that fatal autumn, Where pess are conceited to function her. When the Chorus says that # 8220 ; pride is the source of male monarchs, # 8221 ; it is giving its sentiment on Oedipus # 8217 ; character. While the other characters in the drama do non give a direct sentiment of Oedipus, the Chorus does. Its sentiment of Oedipus gives insight into his character and may act upon a reader # 8217 ; s sentiment of him. The maps of the Chorus in Greek calamity are really of import. Without the Chorus, the drama would non hold every bit much lucidity and extra information to assist the reader understand what is traveling on. Overall, the Chorus helps to add more play and significance to the drama.