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Running head: DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS Descriptive Statistical Processes Student’s Name Institutional Affiliation 1 DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS 2 Descriptive Statistical Processes Descriptive statistics refers to the in-depth analysis of data to obtain meaningful information. The data is described, or summarized in a way that the information obtained can be used by researchers to come up with a pattern observed from the analyzed data (Abbott & McKinney, 2013). Descriptive statistics helps break down data into simpler interpretations. In forensic psychology, the descriptive statistical processes are necessary when describing an enormous amount of data. In forensic psychology, the descriptive statistical methods are employed on raw data to present a meaningful analysis of the collected data (Sarafino, 2005). The analyzed data can give an interpretation to a phenomenon like criminal behavior tendencies among veteran soldiers with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD). Descriptive statistics uses various approaches to analyzing data. The data is classified into four types: nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio (Abbott & McKinney, 2013). A researcher must understand these different approaches and how to apply the measurements to analyze data. The data obtained in the research on the effect of PSTD on the rate of crime can be analyzed using these statistical processes to establish the relationship present in the research topic. Correlational statistics gives a measure of the relationship between two variables and provides an indication of how one may predict the occurrence of the other (Sarafino, 2005). In the case of the effects of PSTD on the increased crime rate among veterans, a behavioral scientist may use the four descriptive statistical processes to establish how the two are related. The nominal data would be used to assign mathematical values to the different variables studied. Ordinal data can be used to rank the variables in order of importance. In forensic studies, the researcher can use this process to determine how the veterans with PSTD symptoms and those without presented thoughts of committing the crimes. The descriptive statistical processes are DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS 3 invaluable in the field of forensic psychology because it helps the researcher validate the hypothesis and establish a relationship between two variables. In the course project, the knowledge on inference would be critical in presenting logical conclusions to the premise that PSTD is attributable to the rise in the rate of violent crimes associated with the veteran soldiers. The assumption that veteran soldiers with PSTD have a high affinity to committing criminal acts after completing their military service will be validated using inferential statistical process. The fact that descriptive statistics cannot be used to verify statistically significant relationships, differences, effects, and casualties, inference statistics will help in establishing such correlation by sampling the obtained data (Abbott & McKinney, 2013). The inferential statistical processes will be used to make a judgment on the data obtained using the descriptive statistical procedures. Descriptive statistics help present sample data while inferential statistics will contribute to making a judgment on the probability of occurrence of violence among veterans with PSTD. DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS 4 References Abbott, M. & McKinney, J. (2013). Understanding and applying research design. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley. Sarafino, E. (2005). Research methods. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.