Week 3 DQ 1 – Response to fellow classmate Anne Bach-Starling, psychology homework help

While descriptive statistics provide a manageable format to summarize raw scores via tables, graphs and averages, inferential statistics do so with sample data and techniques that allow for generalizations to be made regarding the population being studied (Gravetter & Wallnau, 2013). This includes making conclusions on such issues as decisions, predictions, generalizations, and estimates about a specific population (Vogt, 1999). As a result of these generalizations, inferential statistics must consider sampling errors. These are the naturally occurring discrepancies that can occur as a result of the nature of research not typically being able to perfectly represent the entire population. This results in the difference between the statistics from the sample and the coinciding boundaries of the population (Gravetter & Wallnau, 2013).

Utilizing inferential statistics would enable me to interpret how the relationship of parasocial relationship (PSR) and parasocial breakup (PSB) have changed for my study participants, as I will be exploring how the parasocial relationship and parasocial breakup of Cleveland Cavs Fans of Lebron James has changed post the 2016 NBA Championship win in Ohio. As Gravetter and Wallnau (2013) explain, it is not possible to survey everyone in a population as populations tend to be very large. My population of Cavs fans is also geographically spread out, which would allow for more difficulties in obtaining full population surveying. Therefore, inferential statistics will allow for my sample of approximately 150 surveys, 10 interviews, and 3 live observations to be applicable to the general PSR and PSB experience of Cavs fans of Lebron James post the 2016 NBA Championship.

Please respond to the above question using 250 words. Please also use at least 1 reference that is from a peer reviewed article or journal not a website reference. Please also cite the reference in APA 6th edition format.