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Applied research questions Essay

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1. What are the similarities between descriptive and inferential statistics? What are the differences? When should descriptive and inferential statistics be used?
Descriptive statistics describes data by organizing factors of a sample such as culture, gender, age, or location and is shown with charts or graphs. Descriptive statistics can interpret larger portions of data and reduce larger portions of data. The measure of central tendency describes the average score being the mean, the median being the midpoint of a spread of scores, and the mode the most frequent. There are certain levels of measurement and descriptive statistics may not be the best technique based on the measurement, these scales include nominal, ordinal, interval, and …show more content…

The analysis of a single individual, event, or group is a case study. There are different types of cases, which are intrinsic, instrumental, and collective. When doing this type of research one must go out into the field to observe or interview in a natural setting. In the field, those collecting data develop a research role, which establishes the position of the investigator and his or her relationships with others in the situation. At one extreme, the researcher is a complete outsider, totally detached from the naturally occurring behavior and activities of the participants. He or she essentially has no involvement in what occurs in the setting. The researcher is detached coming in, collecting data, and then leaving. A complete insider, on the other hand, is a researcher who has an established role in the setting in which data are collected, engaging in genuine and natural participation. Most fieldworkers’ roles are between these extremes, using what could be labeled insider/outsider or partial participation. These individuals participate to some extent in the setting, rather than just sit on the sidelines, but they are not full participants. Case studies provide in-depth information about people and the possible insight into behavior, in which these can be more controlled at a later time. These types of cases provide opportunities for new techniques. Case studies also make it possible to research rare phenomena. Case studies provide

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