Descriptive Statistics (SLP) - Essay Example

Descriptive statistics due: Descriptive statistics Descriptive statistics are methods used to summarize large sets of numerical information. In light of this information, the writer will critically analyze and compare the testability of their hypothesis to descriptive statistics used in a published study. The hypothesis guiding this study was that, participants portrayed favorable socio-cultural ratings that were likely to be seen in PTSD and depressions disorder symptoms. The study also sought to find the functional state and attitudes directed towards seeking medical healthcare.

Therefore, this paper will condense descriptive statistics in Van Voorhees et al. (2012) Pilot Study of Internet-Based Early Intervention for Combat-Related Mental Distress, and relate them to the writer’s study. From the research, the writer noted that the researchers used statistical diversion and measures of central tendency explain their findings.Central TendencyMeasurements of central tendency are statistical measures that categorize single values as descriptive of an entire allotment (Gravetter FJ, Wallnau, 2000).

They submit to the hypothesis that there is one figure that best sums up the complete collection of measurement. The main function of central tendency is to provide accurate descriptions of sets of data and is mainly displayed as median, mean or mode. According to Sundaram et al. (2010), a large amount of people use mean because of its mathematical qualities, and is paramount for data distributed across ranges. A summary conducted to guide this study reveal that in their research, Van Voorhees and his colleagues used mean of 2 to explain participant’s completion of internet-based lessons.

This means that the numerical digit 2 represented the number of lessons attended by each member of the sampled data. The mean is a representative of the average number representing a whole sample. It is the computation of all measurements, divided by the number it represents. Similarly, I can use measurements of central tendencies to test my hypothesis by calculating the mean of participants who would likely to seek medical healthcare.Statistical DispersionStatistical dispersion observes fundamental variations in a continuing phenomenon.

This method differentiates between inter-individual variables and operates in tests taken under different conditions and times, or whose subjects display diverse characteristics (Dawson &Trapp, 2004). Dispersion mostly refers to the notion that another number explains the extensiveness of all measurements from the central number. Statistical dispersion is present in nominal or percentage forms that show standard deviation or data score range. Standard deviations are the common used methods that display average degree to which scores diverge from the mean (Petrie & Sabin, 2009).

Van Voorhees and his colleagues used data range scale scores to compare several elements in the research. For example, they compared depressions findings from the Center for Epidemiologic Studies to PTSD Checklist-Military version by differentiating between score scales. The researchers also used percentages to describe the biographical nature of the sampled group. The information described in percentage includes ethnicity, gender, accessibility to depression treatment and income. Standard deviations were also used to show the degree and variations among participants who completed lessons.

Similarly, I would use both standard deviation and data score range to test my hypothesis. Standard deviation would be used to illustrate the variations between PTSD occurrence and application of medical care. ReferencesDawson, B., & Trapp, G. (2005) 2004. Basic and Clinical Biostatistics. New York: Mc-Graw HillGravetter, J., & Wallnau, B. (2000). Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences. Belmont: Wadsworth – Thomson Learning.Petrie, A., and Sabin C. (2001).Medical Statistics at a Glance. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell; 2009.

Sundaram, R., Dwivedi, N., & Sreenivas, V. (2010). Medical Statistics Principles and Methods. New Delhi, India: BI Publications Pivot Ltd.Van Voorhees, B. W., Gollan, J., & Fogel, J. (2012). Pilot study of Internet-based early intervention for combat-related mental distress. Journal Of Rehabilitation Research & Development, 49(8).