XLIX. The basic data structures used in quantitative indexes

The domain of statistics is divided into two parts: descriptive and inferential. The inferential part contains the mathematical strategies that produce P values, confidence intervals, and other features of stochastic probability. The descriptive part is more mundane and often receives only cursory attention. In most textbooks and in classroom instruction, the descriptive features of statistics are usually taught rapidly as a necessary but relatively unimportant background for the inferential work. The means, proportions, rates, variances, distributions, correlation coefficients, and other descriptive statistical entities are generally presented as mere participants in the “important” inferential decisions that come later.