Which of the following research questions would not be tested using inferential statistics?

• A. Is there a relationship between hours studied and exam performance in the population?
• B. What percentage of students in this specific class passed the final exam?
• C. Does the mean height of a sample of adults differ from the national average?$\mu$
• D. Is there a significant difference in average test scores between two different schools?$\mu ₁\ne \mu ₂$

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the difference between descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics summarize or describe data from a specific sample or population, such as calculating percentages or averages within that group.
2. Recognize that inferential statistics involve making conclusions or predictions about a larger population based on sample data, often involving hypothesis testing or estimating parameters.
3. Analyze each research question to determine if it requires generalizing beyond the given data (inferential) or simply describing the data at hand (descriptive).
4. Identify that the question 'What percentage of students in this specific class passed the final exam?' is descriptive because it summarizes data from a defined group without making broader inferences.
5. Conclude that the other questions involve inferential statistics because they ask about relationships, differences, or comparisons that extend beyond the immediate sample to a larger population.