Which method is used to organize and summarize data?

The correct answer, descriptive statistics, is the method specifically aimed at organizing and summarizing data. Descriptive statistics provides tools and techniques to present data in a meaningful way. This can include measures of central tendency, such as mean, median, and mode, as well as measures of variability like range, variance, and standard deviation. Through graphical representations like charts and graphs, descriptive statistics allows for an effective visual summary that makes the information more accessible and easier to understand.

In contrast, inferential statistics focuses on making predictions or inferences about a population based on a sample of data, rather than summarizing the data itself. Qualitative analysis involves analyzing non-numeric data to understand concepts or characteristics, which is different from organizing numerical data. Data mining refers to discovering patterns and knowledge from large sets of data, which is a more complex process than simply summarizing the data. Understanding these distinctions clarifies why descriptive statistics is the appropriate choice for organizing and summarizing data.