MAT 210 MAT210_Assignment1 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES VERIFIED ANSWERS ALREADY GRADED A+.

1. Explain the difference between descriptive and inferential statistical methods and give an example of how each could help you draw a conclusion in the real world. Descriptive statistics consists of the collection, organization, summarization, and presentation of data. Statisticians practicing descriptive statistics try to describe a situation. If you are coaching or playing in a baseball league, you can find out your batting average by using descriptive statistics. This number will describe the general performance of the batter throughout their at-bats. Inferential statistics consists of generalizing from samples to populations, performing estimations and hypothesis tests, determining relationships among variables, and making predictions. Statisticians practicing inferential statistics try to make inferences from samples to populations. If you own a company you can take a survey of 100 random people of their thoughts on your product or service. Using their answers, you can infer what the population would think of your product or service. The main difference between descriptive and inferential statistics is that inferential statistics are used to reach conclusions that extend beyond the immediate data you have collected, while descriptive statistics only include the data that is given. 2. You would like to determine whether eating before bed influences your sleep patterns. Describe the steps you would take to conduct a statistical study on this topic.  What is your hypothesis on this issue?  What type of data will you be looking for?  What methods would you use to gather information?  How would the results of the data influence decisions you might make about eating and sleeping?