Descriptive Versus Inferential Statistics

Descriptive statistics summarize data. 1 For instance, suppose you have the

scores on a standardized test for 500 subjects.2 Instead of presenting a list of the

500 scores in a research report, you might present an average score, which de-

scribes the performance of the typical subject. You will learn about three different

averages in this book, all of which are examples of descriptive statistics.