1) Inferential Statistics – Deductive Approach:
• Heavy reliance on probability models
• Must accept untestable assumptions
• Look for definite answers to specific questions
• Emphasis on numerical calculations
• Hypotheses determined at outset
• Hypothesis tests and formal confidence interval estimation.
2) Advantages:
• Provide precise information in the right circumstances
• Well-established theory and methods.
3) Disadvantages:
• Misleading impression of precision in less than ideal circumstances
• Analysis driven by preconceived ideas
• Difficult to notice unexpected results. … Confirmatory Analysis