inferential
based on inference
An inferential idea or answer is worked out from clues, not stated or seen directly.
inferential [noun]; be inferential
- The report's conclusion is inferential: no one saw the event, but the data point to that explanation.
- Her claim rests on inferential evidence rather than a direct admission.
- Strong readers use inferential skills to understand what a writer implies but does not say openly.
- His answer was inferential because he used clues.
- The meaning is not stated; it is inferential.
relating to statistical inference
In statistics, inferential methods use data from a sample to make conclusions about a bigger group.
inferential [statistics/methods/tests/analysis]
- Inferential methods allow researchers to estimate public opinion from a survey sample.
- The course moves from descriptive charts to inferential tests such as confidence intervals.
- Small samples can make inferential conclusions unreliable.
- We used inferential statistics to study the whole population from a small sample.
- The inferential test showed a significant difference.
- Base: inferential
inferential comprehension
1understanding implied meaning
Inferential comprehension is understanding what a text suggests but does not say directly.
- The reading program includes activities that build inferential comprehension.
- Students with strong inferential comprehension can explain why a character acted in a certain way even when the text does not state it.
- The test separates literal comprehension from inferential comprehension.
inferential leap
1jump beyond evidence
An inferential leap is a jump to a conclusion that may not be fully supported by the evidence.
- The article makes an inferential leap from correlation to causation.
- There is a large inferential leap between missing one meeting and not caring about the project.
- Her theory is interesting, but it depends on several risky inferential leaps.
inferential question
1question answered from clues
An inferential question asks you to use clues to find the answer.
- “Why did the character leave?” is an inferential question if the story never gives the reason directly.
- The teacher mixed literal and inferential questions after the reading passage.
- Inferential questions encourage students to support their answers with evidence from the text.
inferential reasoning
1reasoning from clues
Inferential reasoning means using clues to decide what is probably true.
- Doctors often use inferential reasoning when symptoms point to several possible causes.
- The detective's inferential reasoning led her from a small detail to the main suspect.
- The exam measures students' ability to use inferential reasoning, not just remember facts.
inferential statistics
1sample-based statistical conclusions
Inferential statistics uses a smaller set of data to make conclusions about a larger group.
- Inferential statistics help scientists decide whether a result is likely to be real or due to chance.
- We used inferential statistics to generalize from 500 survey responses to the whole customer base.
- The class covers hypothesis tests, confidence intervals, and other tools of inferential statistics.