Deck 1: Introduction to Statistics

Question 1

Which of the following endings is NOT true: Studying statistics is important because doing so

A) will answer all of the important questions about life.
B) allows me to remain abreast of new developments in my field of study.
C) is how we gain knowledge about people and the world around us.
D) enhances my critical thinking skills.

Answer 1

A

Question 2

In statistics, a population is made up of

A) a subset of a larger group.
B) the entire world.
C) the individuals chosen to be in an experiment.
D) an entire group with something in common.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

In statistics, a sample is made up of

A) a subset of a larger group.
B) the entire world.
C) the citizens of a specific location.
D) an entire group with something in common.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Random sampling

A) is biased sampling.
B) helps ensure that a sample is representative of a population.
C) is based on trial and error.
D) helps ensure that only the most experienced in the population participate so that a positive outcome is more likely.

Question 5

Population parameters are

A) calculated directly from a population.
B) error free.
C) inferred from samples.
D) provide complete information about the population.

Question 6

A manufacturing executive hires a researcher to study the effects of sleep deprivation on his employees. The researcher randomly selects 50 of the 1200 employees to participate in the study. The 50 employees who participated make up the

A) parameters.
B) control group.
C) population.
D) sample.

Question 7

____________________ statistics involves predicting the characteristics of a ____________________ based on the data from a _____________________.

A) Inferential; sample; population
B) Descriptive; sample; population
C) Inferential; population; sample
D) Descriptive; population; sample

Question 8

Statistics are to parameters as ________________ are to __________________.

A) dependent variables; independent variables
B) samples; populations
C) populations; samples
D) independent variables; dependent variables

Question 9

A numerical value that originates from a sample is a

A) statistic.
B) parameter.
C) descriptive variable.
D) inferential variable.

Question 10

Sample data cannot be expected to predict population parameters with perfect accuracy due to

A) interval error.
B) statistical error.
C) quantitative error.
D) sampling error.

Question 11

Eye color is an example of a(n)

A) extraneous variable.
B) continuous variable.
C) qualitative variable.
D) quantitative variable.

Question 12

What kind of variables can be broken down into fractions, or smaller units?

A) extraneous variables
B) continuous variables
C) discrete variables
D) qualitative variables

Question 13

All of the following are continuous variables, except

A) academic major.
B) the speed of a runner.
C) the weight of a watermelon.
D) distance traveled.

Question 14

All of the following are discrete variables, except

A) number of siblings.
B) gender.
C) academic major.
D) amount of time spent working out.

Question 15

One of the features of the _______________ scale of measurement is an arbitrary zero point.

A) ratio
B) nominal
C) interval
D) ordinal

Question 16

We use _________________ to estimate parameters.

A) populations
B) statistics
C) variables
D) constants

Question 17

_____________________ statistics takes sampling error into consideration when estimating the characteristics of a population.

A) Inferential
B) Descriptive
C) Quantitative
D) Qualitative

Question 18

The upper limit of 2.67 is _________________.

A) 2.6705
B) 2.72
C) 2.665
D) 2.675

Question 19

The lower limit of 3.1 is _____________.

A) 3.6
B) 2.6
C) 3.095
D) 3.05

Question 20

Real limits are a characteristic of

A) discrete variables.
B) continuous variables.
C) qualitative variables.
D) independent variables.

Question 21

To which scale of measurement can numbers be arbitrarily assigned but which don't have any numerical value?

A) ordinal
B) ratio
C) nominal
D) interval

Question 22

The numbers on pool balls are examples of which scale of measurement?

A) interval
B) ratio
C) nominal
D) ordinal

Question 23

Which is the only scale of measurement which allows such statements as "Maria is twice as fast at Jose?

A) ratio
B) nominal
C) interval
D) ordinal

Question 24

I like ice cream. My favorite is chocolate. If I can't have chocolate, I'll eat vanilla, If there's no vanilla, I'll take strawberry. My preference for ice cream flavors is an example of the ________________ scale of measurement.

A) nominal
B) interval
C) ratio
D) ordinal

Question 25

Scales of measurement

A) help determine which statistical procedures are appropriate.
B) can only be determined after the research results have been obtained.
C) allow researchers to use random assignment of participants to different groups.
D) are used to maintain extraneous variables at the same level across different groups.

Question 26

In an experiment, the _____________ variable is manipulated by the researcher.

A) discrete
B) dependent
C) independent
D) extraneous

Question 27

The _____________ variable is what is measured in an experiment to see if it was affected by the ______________ variable.

A) independent; extraneous
B) independent; dependent
C) extraneous; independent
D) dependent; independent

Question 28

____________ variables can have an unintended effect on the _____________ variable if not controlled.

A) Independent; dependent
B) Extraneous; dependent
C) Extraneous; independent
D) Dependent; independent

Question 29

In an experiment, the group that is used as a baseline for comparison is called the ______________ group.

A) control
B) experimental
C) random
D) extraneous

Question 30

Extraneous variables should be

A) applied only to the experimental group.
B) applied only to the control group.
C) maintained at the same level across all groups.
D) manipulated by the researcher.

Question 31

What procedure is used in an experiment that involves all participants having an equal chance of being assigned to any one of the groups?

A) controlled assignment
B) experimental assignment
C) random assignment
D) equal assignment

Question 32

Random assignment ____________________.

A) helps eliminate bias
B) spreads out preexisting differences between participants among the various groups
C) helps maintain the integrity of the research
D) all of the above

Question 33

In a study to determine the effect of room temperature on concentration, room temperature would be the

A) independent variable.
B) dependent variable.
C) extraneous variable.
D) controlled variable.

Question 34

In a study to determine the effect of caffeine on memory, memory would be the

A) independent variable.
B) dependent variable.
C) extraneous variable.
D) controlled variable.

Question 35

Which type of research can demonstrate cause-and-effect relationship?

A) correlation
B) experimentation
C) surveys
D) case studies

Question 36

In nonexperimental research,

A) variables are actively manipulated by the researcher.
B) conclusions can be drawn about cause-and-effect relationships.
C) scores are only observed without intervention.
D) correlational studies cannot be used.

Question 37

A study reports that income for males increases by 2% for every 4-inch increase in height. What type of research is involved in this study?

A) longitudinal
B) case study
C) experimental
D) correlation

Question 38

A study reports that a newly developed non-opioid analgesic medication decreased the amount of pain experienced by people who suffer from migraine headaches. What type of research is involved in this study?

A) experiment
B) correlation
C) longitudinal
D) case study

Question 39

The number 47.8367 rounded to the nearest hundredth would be

A) 47.8
B) 47.84
C) 47.83
D) 47.837

Question 40

Changing a decimal to a percentage would be accomplished by ________________.

A) multiplying by 100
B) moving the decimal place two places to the left
C) dividing by 100
D) dividing by N

Question 41

Converting 18% into a proportion results in a value of ____________.

A) .18
B) 18.00
C) .0018
D) 1.8

Question 42

Adding (-12) + (-8) + 16 + (-4) results in what value?

A) 8
B) -8
C) 16
D) -16

Question 43

In division, if the numerator and denominator have opposite signs,

A) change the sign of the dividend (the number being divided).
B) change the sign of the divisor (the number used to divide).
C) the result will be negative.
D) the result will be positive.

Question 44

What operation is completed first when applying the order of mathematical operations?

A) exponents
B) parentheses
C) addition
D) division

Question 45

What operation is completed last when applying the order of mathematical operations?

A) multiplication
B) exponents
C) division
D) subtraction

Question 46

Apply the order of mathematical operations to solve for: 3 x (6² + 7)

A) 129
B) 115
C) 46
D) 57

Question 47

Apply the order of mathematical operations to solve for: [(13 + 7) - (10 ÷ 2)²] x 7².

A) 102.5
B) -102.5
C) -245
D) 245

Question 48

If two values with the same sign are to be multiplied

A) change the sign of the first number.
B) change the sign of the second number.
C) the result will be positive.
D) the result will be negative.

Question 49

Calculate ∑X²for the following set of scores: 6, 4, 3, 2. The answer is ______________.

A) 15
B) 65
C) 225
D) 30

Question 50

Calculate ∑(X)²for the following set of scores: 5, 3, 9, 2. The answer is ______________.

A) 361
B) 119
C) 19
D) 38

Question 51

Identify three reasons why studying statistics is important.

Question 52

Identify the following as either continuous or discrete variables:
a. Depth of water in a swimming pool __________________.
b. Number of students enrolled in a class __________________.
c. Volume of water in a jug __________________.
d. How many traffic accidents there were in a given year __________________.
e. A person's age __________________.
f. Number of home runs __________________.

Question 53

Determine the lower and upper limits for the following values:
a. 8.7 pounds, a baby's weight: __________________and __________________.
b. 6.38 seconds, length of time to respond to a question: __________________ and __________________.
c. 2100 calories, daily caloric intake: __________________and __________________.
d. 52.982 mph, wind speed during a storm: __________________and __________________.

Question 54

Identify the scale of measurement for the following variables:
a. High school ranking __________________.
b. Amount of time to complete a test __________________.
c. Red, blue, orange, green __________________.
d. 10° F., 20° F., 30° F., 40° F __________________.

Question 55

Why are scales of measurement important in statistics?

Question 56

Define the following terms related to experimentation.
a. Independent variable
b. Dependent variable
c. Extraneous variable
d. Random assignment

Question 57

Explain what is meant by inferential statistics using the concept of sampling error in your discussion.

Question 58

For each of the situations below, identify the independent variable and the dependent variable.
a. A study to determine the effect of humidity on running speed.
b. Students memorize a list of difficult vocabulary words while listening to jazz, classical music, or country and western music. Their recall of the words was then measured.
c. Research participants are asked to solve a jigsaw puzzle in rooms where the temperature is either cold, comfortable, or hot. The amount of time it takes to solve the puzzle is recorded.

Question 59

Indicate whether the hypothetical studies below represent correlation or experimental research.
a. A study to determine the effect of exercise on blood pressure.
b. A study shows that students who take more courses in psychology tend to have higher scores on self-esteem.
c. Studies show that as cigarette smoking increases, life expectancy decreases.
d. A study shows that a new spice increased the ability of rats to find their way around a maze.

Question 60

Using the correct order of operations, solve the following equations:
a. 3[5 + (8 ÷ 2)²] - 1 =
b. [6² + (24 ÷ 2 + 4²)] - 2² =
c. [(5 + 3)² x 2] - 11 + 6² =

Question 61

Perform the calculations indicated for the following set of X scores: 6, 3, 4, 5
a. ∑X =
b. (∑X)² =
c. ∑X² =

Question 62

For the X and Y scores below, calculate the values indicated:
a. ∑X =
b. ∑Y =
c. ∑X² =
d. ∑Y² =
e. ∑XY =
f. (∑X)( ∑Y) =
g. (∑X)² =
h. ∑X² + ∑Y² =
i. ∑X² + (∑Y)² =
j. ∑(X - 1) =
k. ∑(X - 1)² =