The simple answer is yes. There are many published papers that only use descriptive analysis. Papers describing new species often are entirely descriptive. However, inferential statistics is more common. If someone else publishes a similar paper on something they found in Kenya, how will you use their description to help your situation? Alternatively, how will you use your description as a first step in building a bigger picture that other scientists can use? What is the general problem/question that is useful to other people?

You have to understand the difference between descriptive statistical analysis and inferential statistical analysis. The latter is used to infer (i.e., extend from the sample to the population) some properties. For example, you can ask yourself if the mean of the weights of all people in Australia is above 50kg. If you observe (measure) the weights of all people in Australia, then you can compute the mean and easily answer the question (with no error if the measurements are very accurate). But if you only have a sample of 100 people say, then you will use this partial information to try answering your question. The only answer you will be able to give will be using probability (e.g., using confidence intervals).

So to answer your question, you can do only descriptive statistical analysis when:

1) you observe the whole population (rarely the case)

2) you are not interested in inferring properties from the sample to the population (which is usually not the case in scientific publications)

Dear Dr. Pierre de Mecheaux, thank you for your contribution. In conclusion, it is rare to do a scientific research using only descriptive statistical tool of analysis.

I have seen manuscripts submitted for review that used only this.

Best Regards

Olutosin

The simple answer is yes. There are many published papers that only use descriptive analysis. Papers describing new species often are entirely descriptive. However, inferential statistics is more common. If someone else publishes a similar paper on something they found in Kenya, how will you use their description to help your situation? Alternatively, how will you use your description as a first step in building a bigger picture that other scientists can use? What is the general problem/question that is useful to other people?

Thank you dear Prof. Timothy A. Ebert for your contributions that research findings on new concepts can be entirely descriptive in nature. I really appreciate your contribution sir.

Warmest regards

Olutosin

Yes, it may be considered as a draft paper.

Regards, Emad

Paper without having lit.review the question may arise about innovation.

Hi If not reviewed, then you could use any methods. But with sacrificing the quality and impact. 

Thank you dear Drs. Emad Hussein, Neelamadhab Padhy and Gehan Selim for your important contributions to the discussion.

Olutosin

just descriptives will not throw needed insight in the area, supplement it with some implications

Definitely the answer is yes, you can publish descriptive data. For example pattern of disease occurrence or mortality over time in a given population is quite useful publication for health policy makers.

Thank you dear Monica Chaudhary for your contribution. I agree with you but if a researcher wishes to apply only descriptive analytical tool so be it but the work can be further strengthened with other analytical tools that are appropriate for the research.

Olutosin

Thank you dear Omran Habib for your valuable contribution to this discussion.

Definitely, you can.

I utterly agree with you. Thank you for your contribution Dr. Jumoke Soyemi.

Olutosin

Thank you all for your valuable answers/contributions to this discussion.