Chapter 16 Data Analysis Descriptive
and Inferential Statistics
The nurse researcher is interested in estimating how reliably data can be
used to generalize the findings of a study. In order for this to occur, the researcher should
use what?
a. Inferential
statistics
b. Descriptive
statistics
c. Nonparametric
statistics
d. Mathematical
statistics
ANS: A
Correct A: Inferential statistics are used by researchers to make predictions and generalize findings based
on data.
Incorrect B: Descriptive statistics are used to describe and summarize data by reducing data to
manageable proportions by summarizing them.
Incorrect C: Nonparametric statistics are a type of inferential statistics.
Incorrect D: The term mathematical statistics is a circular answer.
,The nurse researcher is interested in describing and summarizing the
characteristics of the sample used in the research study. In order for this to occur, the
researcher should use what?
a. Inferential
statistics
b. Descriptive
statistics
c. Nonparametric
statistics
d. Mathematical
statistics
ANS: B
Correct B: Descriptive statistics are used to describe and summarize data by reducing data to
manageable proportions by summarizing them.
Incorrect A: Inferential statistics are used by researchers to make predictions and generalize findings
based on data.
Incorrect C: Nonparametric statistics are a type of inferential statistics.
Incorrect D: The term mathematical statistics is a circular answer.
A nurse researcher would opt to use measures of central tendency in
which case?
a. When there is a
, need to describe
how reliably the
findings can be
generalized
b. When there is a
need to describe
how much
dispersion is in
the sample
c. When there is a
need to describe
the accuracy of
predictions made
d. When there is a
need to describe
the average
member of the
sample
ANS: D
Correct D: Measures of central tendency yield a single number that describes the middle of the group
and summarizes the members of a sample.
Incorrect A: This answer describes a function of inferential statistics.
Incorrect B: This answer describes measures of variability.
Incorrect C: This answer is incorrect.
The nurse researcher is interested in describing the assignment of
numbers to objects or events. This is best achieved in which way?
and Inferential Statistics
The nurse researcher is interested in estimating how reliably data can be
used to generalize the findings of a study. In order for this to occur, the researcher should
use what?
a. Inferential
statistics
b. Descriptive
statistics
c. Nonparametric
statistics
d. Mathematical
statistics
ANS: A
Correct A: Inferential statistics are used by researchers to make predictions and generalize findings based
on data.
Incorrect B: Descriptive statistics are used to describe and summarize data by reducing data to
manageable proportions by summarizing them.
Incorrect C: Nonparametric statistics are a type of inferential statistics.
Incorrect D: The term mathematical statistics is a circular answer.
,The nurse researcher is interested in describing and summarizing the
characteristics of the sample used in the research study. In order for this to occur, the
researcher should use what?
a. Inferential
statistics
b. Descriptive
statistics
c. Nonparametric
statistics
d. Mathematical
statistics
ANS: B
Correct B: Descriptive statistics are used to describe and summarize data by reducing data to
manageable proportions by summarizing them.
Incorrect A: Inferential statistics are used by researchers to make predictions and generalize findings
based on data.
Incorrect C: Nonparametric statistics are a type of inferential statistics.
Incorrect D: The term mathematical statistics is a circular answer.
A nurse researcher would opt to use measures of central tendency in
which case?
a. When there is a
, need to describe
how reliably the
findings can be
generalized
b. When there is a
need to describe
how much
dispersion is in
the sample
c. When there is a
need to describe
the accuracy of
predictions made
d. When there is a
need to describe
the average
member of the
sample
ANS: D
Correct D: Measures of central tendency yield a single number that describes the middle of the group
and summarizes the members of a sample.
Incorrect A: This answer describes a function of inferential statistics.
Incorrect B: This answer describes measures of variability.
Incorrect C: This answer is incorrect.
The nurse researcher is interested in describing the assignment of
numbers to objects or events. This is best achieved in which way?
