Data from a sample of citizens of a certain country yielded the following estimates of average TV viewing time per month for all the citizens. The times are in hours and minutes. (NA, not available)

Viewing Method May 2008 May 2007 Change (%)

Watching TV in the home

Watching timeshifted TV

Using the internet

Watching video on internet

127:49

5:31

26:41

2:34

121:59

3:52

24:17

NA

5

43

10

NA

Is the study descriptive or inferential?

A. Inferential, because the statistics are used to describe the sample

B. Descriptive, because the statistics are used to describe the sample

C. Descriptive, because the statistics are used to make an inference about the population

D. Inferential, because the statistics are used to make an inference about the population

D. Inferential, because the statistics are used to make an inference about the population

Correct, the objective of this study is obtain information from the population with a sample and then use any method to estimate the population mean, the parameter of interest.

Step-by-step explanation:

An inferential study consists in take information about a population by a sample and use this information to see what would be the possible values for the population of interest

By the other hand a descriptive study is obtained from observing and measuring some variables of interest but without manipulate the data.

For this case we have sample averages for the viewing time per month.

Let's analyze one by one the possible options:

A. Inferential, because the statistics are used to describe the sample

False the study is inferential but the idea is not just obtain information about the sample, we want to see the population parameters not the statistics

B. Descriptive, because the statistics are used to describe the sample

False for this case we have averages calculated from the sample mean and is not possible to consider this study as descriptive.

C. Descriptive, because the statistics are used to make an inference about the population

False, the statistics are used to make an inference about the population, this statement is correct, but the problem is that this study is not descriptive.

D. Inferential, because the statistics are used to make an inference about the population

Correct, the objective of this study is obtain information from the population with a sample and then use any method to estimate the population mean, the parameter of interest.