Which type of statistical analysis is used to describe the data collected for a research sample?

Descriptive statistical analysis is used to summarize and describe the features of a dataset collected from a research sample. This type of analysis provides a straightforward overview by calculating measures such as means, medians, modes, standard deviations, and frequency distributions. Descriptive statistics give researchers a clear picture of the sample's characteristics, allowing for an understanding of its central tendencies and variability without making predictions or generalizations about a larger population.

In contrast, inferential statistics are utilized to make predictions or inferences about a population based on the sample data; this method often involves hypothesis testing and confidence intervals. The parametric and nonparametric distinctions refer to specific types of inferential statistics, where parametric methods assume certain conditions about the data (like normal distribution), while nonparametric methods do not. These approaches come into play after descriptive statistics have provided an initial summary, allowing researchers to draw further conclusions.