Answer to Question #174258 in Statistics and Probability for Kwame Hayford

Question

Question 1

 a) Discuss how statistical data can support policy making

b) Examine a dichotomy between qualitative and quantitative data in research

c) What is your view on the significance of descriptive and inferential

statistics?

Answer 1

b) Qualitative data is the data in which the classification of objects is based on attributes and properties.

Research Methodology: Exploratory

Approach: Subjective

Analysis: Non-Statistical

Collection of data: Unstructured

Determines: Depth of understanding

Asks: Why?

Sample: Small number of non-representative samples

Outcome: Develops initial understanding

Quantitative Data is the type of data which can be measured and expressed numerically.

Research Methodology: Conclusive

Approach: Objective

Analysis: Statistical

Collection of data: Structured

Determines: Level of occurrence

Asks: How many or How much?

Sample: Large number of representative samples

Outcome: Recommends final course of action

c) Each of these segments is important, offering different techniques that accomplish different objectives. Descriptive statistics describe what is going on in a population or data set. Inferential statistics, by contrast, allow scientists to take findings from a sample group and generalize them to a larger population.

a) Statistical data is immensely necessary presently for prudent policy making. The data can be used for resource allocation, monitoring government projects, finding inter relationships between differ organizations.