Introduction to Descriptive statistics

Abstract

Descriptive statistics summarize and organize characteristics of a data set. A data set is a collection of responses or observations from a sample or entire population. In quantitative research, after collecting data, the first step of statistical analysis is to describe characteristics of the responses, such as the average of one variable (e.g., age), or the relation between two variables (e.g., age and creativity). The next step is inferential statistics, which help you decide whether your data confirms or refutes your hypothesis and whether it is generalizable to a larger population.