Social Research Glossary A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Home
Citation reference: Harvey, L., 2012-24, Social Research Glossary, Quality Research International, http://www.qualityresearchinternational.com/socialresearch/
This is a dynamic glossary and the author would welcome any e-mail suggestions for additions or amendments.
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Descriptive statistics
Descriptive statistical methods are used for summarising large quantities of data so that patterns and relationships within the data may be seen.
Descriptive statistical methods include the presentation of data in tables and diagrams and the calculation of summary measures of location, and dispersion.
(See pictorial representation, averages, dispersion and tabulation.)
Some statisticians also refer to simple measures of correlation and association as descriptive measures. However, as they address relationships between variables they are included here as analytic or inferential statistics.
See also
Researching the Real World Section 8.3.12
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