Final answer:
The correct answer is b) Inferential statistics which is the practice of using sample data to estimate and make predictions about a population. Inferential statistics contrasts with descriptive statistics, which only summarizes the data, and utilizes methods like confidence intervals and hypothesis testing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The branch of statistics that uses sample data to draw conclusions about an entire population is known as b) Inferential statistics. Inferential statistics, also referred to as statistical inference or inductive statistics, deals with the process of using data obtained from a sample to make estimates and test hypotheses about the parameters of a full population. For instance, if you have a sample of 100 calculators and find that four are defective, you might use inferential statistics to infer that approximately 4 percent of all calculators produced are defective. This branch of statistics contrasts with descriptive statistics, where data is simply described and summarized without making predictions or inferences about a larger group.
It's important to understand that when we use inferential statistics, we are often dealing with probabilities and are not claiming to know the exact parameter of the population. As such, we use sample data to make generalizations that are not definitive but rather give us a range of confidence about what the true value in the population might be. Using methods such as confidence intervals and hypothesis testing are fundamental parts of this process.