Which of the following is an example of inferential statistics?

• A. Listing the number of students in each major at a university
• B. Calculating the mean $\mathrm{height}$ of students in a specific classroom
• C. Estimating the average $\mathrm{height}$ of all college students in a country based on a sample
• D. Organizing exam scores into a frequency table

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the difference between descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics summarize or describe data from a sample or population, such as listing counts or calculating means.
2. Identify examples of descriptive statistics in the options: listing the number of students in each major, calculating the mean height of students in a classroom, and organizing exam scores into a frequency table all describe or summarize data directly observed.
3. Recognize that inferential statistics involve making predictions, estimates, or generalizations about a larger population based on a sample of data.
4. Look at the option 'Estimating the average height of all college students in a country based on a sample' and note that it uses sample data to infer about the entire population, which is the essence of inferential statistics.
5. Conclude that the correct example of inferential statistics is the one involving estimation about a population from a sample, as it goes beyond mere description to making inferences.