What method is used to make inferences from a sample to a population?

Inferential statistics is the method used to make inferences from a sample to a population. This approach allows researchers to draw conclusions about a larger group based on the data collected from a smaller subset. By using inferential statistics, one can estimate population parameters, test hypotheses, and make predictions while accounting for variability and uncertainty in the sample data. This is essential in many fields, including psychology, as it enables the application of findings from research studies to broader contexts without needing to measure every individual within the population.

Descriptive statistics, while important for summarizing and describing the characteristics of a data set, does not allow for generalizations about a population beyond the observed data. Content analysis is a qualitative method used to analyze and interpret textual or visual content, which is not focused on statistical inference. Norm-referenced assessments compare an individual's performance to a normative group but do not specifically address the methodology for making population inferences from a sample.