Question

In Exercises 1.7-1.12, classify each of the studies as either descriptive or inferential. Explain your answers.

In-Demand College Majors. In a June 2013 article, published online by The Street, B. O'Connell discussed the results of a survey on opportunities for graduating college students. In one aspect of the survey, the following percentage estimates were reported on which college majors were in demand among U.S. firms. [SOURCE: "The Most In-Demand College Majors This Year." Published by Career-Builder, LLC, 2013.]

Short answer

The given study is inferential.

Step-by-step solution

Step 1. Given information.

The given statement is:

In a June 2013 article, published online by The Street, B. O'Connell discussed the results of a survey on opportunities for graduating college students. In one aspect of the survey, the following percentage estimates were reported on which college majors were in demand among U.S. firms.

Step 2. Classify the given study as either descriptive or inferential.

The given survey estimates the percentage of college majors which are in demand in U.S. firms.

The data or conclusion provided on the population of all US firms is based on a sample of the population.

As a result, the research is inferential.