Module Components

• Learning Activities

Topics

• Results Overview
• Statistical Conclusion Validity
• Descriptive Statistics
• Inferential Statistics
• Module 4 Self-Review

NRSG 790-Methods for Research and Evidence-Based Practice

Module 4: Understanding Results

Inferential Statistics

Inferential statistics are used when making inferences from a sample to a broader population. These are the statistical tests that allow us to examine whether or not the results of the study support the hypothesis. The choice of which statistical analysis to use is linked directly to the conceptualization, aims and design of the study.

Other considerations include:

• data collected (i.e. continuous or categorical, cross sectional or longitudinal)
• distribution of the data (normally distributed or not normally distributed)
• relationships between variables (i.e. correlated or not)

Review the basic types of inferential statistics, their application to different types of designs.