Descriptive statistics involves arranging, summarizing, and presenting a set of
ID: 3315887 • Letter: D
Question
Descriptive statistics involves arranging, summarizing, and presenting a set of data in such a way that useful information is produced. Its methods use graphical techniques and numerical descriptive measures (such as averages) to summarize and present the data, allowing managers to make decisions based on the information generated. The two most important factors that determine the appropriate method to use are the type of data and the information that is needed.
Consider the following example:
A sample of shoppers at a mall was asked the following questions. Identify the type of data each question would produce and explain the value to a researcher for gather that data type:
What is your age?
How much did you spend?
What is your marital status?
Rate the availability of parking: excellent, good, fair, or poor.
How many stores did you enter?
Explanation / Answer
What is your age?
Age is ratio level type of data
How much did you spend?
Money is again ratio level type of data
What is your marital status?
This is nomial data type
Rate the availability of parking: excellent, good, fair, or poor.
This is nomial data type