Final answer:
Inferential statistics is the process of drawing conclusions or making predictions about a population based on data from a sample. It involves testing hypotheses and determining the likelihood that observed results occurred by chance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Inferential statistics is the process of drawing conclusions or making predictions about a population based on data from a sample. It involves testing hypotheses and determining the likelihood that observed results occurred by chance. The null hypothesis states that there is no significant difference or effect in a population, while the research hypothesis contradicts the null hypothesis and suggests a significant effect or difference. Hypothesis testing involves setting up two contradictory hypotheses, collecting sample data, analyzing the data, and making a decision based on the results.