Final answer:
Inferential statistics empower researchers to test hypotheses and make predictions about a population based on sample data.
Step-by-step explanation:
The branch of statistics that allows researchers to test their hypotheses is called inferential statistics. Option b) Inferential is correct. Unlike descriptive statistics that summarize the main features of a dataset, inferential statistics use a random sample of data taken from a population to describe and make inferences about that population. Statistical hypothesis testing is a key procedure in inferential statistics, aimed at determining whether any statistical significance can be attributed to a given hypothesis.
Inferential statistics involve methods such as confidence intervals and hypothesis tests like the t-test and chi-square test. These methods help researchers decide, for instance, if a drug is effective or if educational interventions improve test scores.