Question

Can blueberries slow down aging? A study used two groups of 19 month old rats (equivalent to 60 year old humans). The rats were fed either their standard diet or a diet supplement by blueberry powder. After 8 weeks, the rats were given a memory test: the number of correct choices on T-maze.

Q.) What type of statistical analysis would be used to analyze the data from the study? Descriptive or Inferential analysis?

Answer 1

In descriptive analysis, we have some data, we analyse it and draw inference about the given data . Here the conclusions drawn can only be made for that particular set of data.

In inferential analysis, our main objective is to draw inference about the concerned population , using a sample data from that population.

Here, though the experimented rats are not obviously a sample of human population, but that is a question of biological sciences . Here we draw inference for "rats" in general (and thus for human population ) from a group of two sampled rats. So, obviously inferential analysis should be made.