ABSTRACT
Remember we’re talking here about quantitative data (inherently numerical or numerically coded in some way) in probability samples.
HOW TO USE INFERENTIAL STATISTICS
To use inferential stats means to carry out certain mathematical computations (now done by computer programs such as SPSS) called tests of statistical significance. There are many such tests. They’re all based on your descriptive stats, but different tests are used in different ways using different mathematical calculations. The one you use depends on the LOM of the variable(s) in question. Again, they all answer these questions:
1. Can I infer that a difference or association noted in this sample is significant, or is it probably just a chance thing or due to sampling error?
