Statistical investigation is a process of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to make decisions or draw conclusions about a specific research question or real-world problem. It is a structured process that involves the following stages:
- Problem: Identifying a problem that can be answered with data. The problem can be formulated as a statistical question.
- Plan: Planning the procedures used to carry out the study.
- Data: Collecting relevant and reliable data through various methods like surveys, experiments, or observations.
- Analysis: Summarizing and analyzing the data to answer the research question or solve the problem.
- Conclusion: Drawing conclusions about what has been learned and making informed decisions or taking informed actions.
The ultimate goal of a statistical investigation is to learn more about a real-world situation and to expand the body of contextual knowledge. A scientific method is used for a statistical investigation since it is concerned with empirical data. The investigation is conducted using a statistical enquiry cycle, which defines the way one acts and what one thinks about during the course of a statistical investigation. The statistical enquiry cycle consists of the following stages:
- Problem: The statement of the research questions.
- Plan: Planning the procedures used to carry out the study.
- Data: The data collection process.
- Analysis: The summaries and analyses of the data to answer the questions posed.
- Conclusion: The conclusions about what has been learned.
In summary, statistical investigation is a process of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to make decisions or draw conclusions about a specific research question or real-world problem. It involves a structured process that uses a scientific method and a statistical enquiry cycle to seek meaning from a...