Which statistics method would you use to estimate characteristics of a population based on a sample?

The chosen answer is appropriate because inferential statistics is specifically designed to allow researchers to make generalizations about a population based on information obtained from a sample. This method includes techniques such as hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, and regression analysis, which help to draw conclusions beyond the immediate data.

Descriptive statistics, while useful for summarizing and organizing data, do not involve making inferences about a broader population; they only provide insights into the sample at hand. Qualitative analysis focuses on understanding non-numeric data, such as opinions or experiences, and is not directly concerned with statistical estimation of population characteristics. Quantitative analysis, while it can involve numerical data, does not inherently involve inferential techniques aimed at making broader population estimates.

Thus, inferential statistics stands out as the method specifically tailored for estimating population characteristics from a sample, making it the correct answer.