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inference

n.

1. a conclusion deduced from an earlier premise or premises according to valid rules of inference, or the process of drawing such a conclusion. Some hold that an inference, as contrasted with a mere conclusion, requires that the person making it actually believe that the inference and the premises from which it is drawn are true. Also called logical inference.

2. in statistical analysis, a conclusion about a population based on logical reasoning from data gathered about a smaller sample (see inferential statistics). The most common example of this type of inference is statistical hypothesis testing (see inferential test). —inferential adj.

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Psychology term of the day

January 30th 2025

Meckel’s syndrome

Meckel’s syndrome

a congenital disorder marked by microcephaly; eye, ear, and olfactory abnormalities; and varying degrees of brain-tissue anomalies. Some affected children show premature closure of skull sutures. The patients either are stillborn or die in early infancy. [Johann Friedrich Meckel (1781–1833), German anatomist]