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Running head: DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS
Descriptive Statistical Processes
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
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DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS
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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
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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.
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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.