Introduction

Statistical inference involves collecting and analyzing data in order to answer a meaningful question of interest. For instance, a researcher in education may want to know if using computers in an algebra classroom is effective in helping students build their mathematical skills. A researcher in psychology may want to know whether children who play violent video games tend to have more disturbing thoughts than children who do not play violent video games. In other fields, such as environmental science, researchers may want to know what factors contribute to global warming by asking questions such as which makes and models of automobiles emit larger amounts of greenhouse gas.