Inferential statistics are a set of technologies (ie, formulas and procedures) used for inferring mathematical properties of an unmeasured population based on the mathematical properties of a sample. The adequacy and appropriateness of using inferential statistics is dependent, at least in part, on the mathematical characteristics of the sample, in part on the quality of the methods used. The mathematical characteristics of the sample can be ascertained with descriptive statistics2.
It is necessary to emphasise that inferential statistics is a step removed from the reality of the data, and that bad data and bad methods, as well as inferences beyond the limitations of the original sample and dataset, is a recipe for pseudoscience.
Illustration 1 offers a snapshot of typical inferential statistics.
Illustration 1. Inferential statistics | |||
---|---|---|---|
Key concepts | |||
Type of analysis | nominal | ordinal | interval |
Uncertainty | --- | --- | standard error |
Theoretical distribution | --- | ranked distribution | z-distribution |
~ | --- | --- | t-distribution |
~ | --- | --- | F-distribution |
Statistics for describing the population | |||
Type of analysis | nominal | ordinal | interval |
Central tendency | --- | confidence interval of the median | confidence interval of the mean |
Dispersion | --- | --- | confidence interval of the standard deviation |
Graphs | histogram with normal curve | ||
Tests of significance | |||
Type of analysis | nominal | ordinal | interval |
Group difference | chi-square | U test | t-test |
~ | --- | W test | oneway, anova |
Time difference | --- | t-test |
Want to know more?
- Wiki of Science - Descriptive statistics
- This page provides access to statistic technologies used for describing a group or even a whole population.
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