Question 1

A company is interested in determining which of several advertising layouts is most effective at generating additional sales.The data collection tool that would most likely be used in this situation is:
A)telephone survey.
B)mail questionnaire.
C)experiment.
D)observation.

Accepted Answer

In order to determine the most effective advertising layout, a controlled experiment would be the best choice. The company could expose multiple groups of potential customers to different advertising layouts and then compare their subsequent purchasing behavior. This method would allow for a direct comparison of effectiveness between different advertising layouts. Telephone surveys and mail questionnaires could be used to gather supplementary data, but they would not be as effective at directly comparing the layouts. Observation may also be useful in gathering data, but it would not provide the necessary control to confidently infer causation.

Question 2

Based on a survey of 400 students in a university in which 20 percent indicated that they were business majors.The university student newspaper reported that "20 percent of all the students at the university are business majors." This report is an example of:
A)a sample.
B)a population.
C)statistical inference.
D)descriptive statistics.

Accepted Answer

The report uses data from a sample (400 students) to make a generalization about the entire university's student body, which is an example of statistical inference.

Question 3

In conducting a personal interview,what problem can result if the interviewer is allowed to arbitrarily decide who should be interviewed?
A)Nonresponses
B)Missing data
C)Bias
D)Poor response rate

Accepted Answer

Allowing the interviewer to arbitrarily decide who should be interviewed can lead to bias in the data collected. The interviewer may have unconscious biases that influence their decision-making or may choose people who are more likely to give them the information they want to hear, leading to a distortion of the data. This can compromise the validity and reliability of the results obtained from the personal interview. Nonresponses, missing data, and poor response rates may also be issues in personal interviews but are not directly related to the interviewer's arbitrary decisions.

Question 4

Recently,a major tire manufacturer stated in its advertising that its tires with a new tire tread design will last more than 50,000 miles on average.A consumer agency collected a subset of these tires and tested them in very controlled conditions.Based on this test,the agency concluded that the manufacturer was justified in making this claim.The process described is an example of:
A)descriptive statistics.
B)hypothesis testing.
C)statistical inference.
D)Both B and C are correct.

Accepted Answer

The process involves hypothesis testing to determine if the claim is statistically supported, and it also involves statistical inference as conclusions are drawn about the population based on the sample tested.

Question 5

A company conducted a survey of its employees to determine their level of satisfaction with various company policies.The data collected from this survey are:
A)primary data.
B)secondary data.
C)experimental data.
D)census data.

Accepted Answer

The data collected directly from the survey of the company's employees is considered primary data.

Question 6

A tire manufacturing company is interested in obtaining data on stopping distances for each of the three main tread types made by the company.The data collection method that would be most likely used in this case would be:
A)telephone survey.
B)written questionnaire.
C)demographic surveying.
D)experiments.

Accepted Answer

Experiments would be the best choice in this case as the company needs to gather data on the stopping distances for each of the three main tire tread types. By conducting experiments, the company can control the variables and obtain accurate data on the stopping distances for each tire tread type. Telephone surveys, written questionnaires, and demographic surveying are not appropriate methods for collecting this type of data.

Question 7

The summaries of data,which may be in forms of tabular,graphical,or numerical,are referred to as:
A)inferential statistics.
B)descriptive statistics.
C)statistical inference.
D)report generation.

Accepted Answer

Descriptive statistics provide a summary of the data that has been collected, which could take a form of tables, graphs, or numerical summaries such as measures of central tendency and variability. Inferential statistics, on the other hand, draw conclusions and make predictions about a population based on a sample. Statistical inference is the process of using data analysis to make such conclusions. Report generation refers to the process of creating a report that presents the data and findings in a clear and organized manner.

Question 8

The Biltmore Hotel manager is getting ready to make a presentation that she hopes will justify adding additional staff.As part of the presentation,she has constructed charts and graphs.The general type of statistical analysis she is using is:
A)hypothesis testing.
B)estimation.
C)inferential statistics.
D)descriptive statistics.

Accepted Answer

The Biltmore Hotel manager is using descriptive statistics, as she is constructing charts and graphs to summarize and present the current state of staffing levels and the impact additional staff could have. Descriptive statistics summarize and describe data, while inferential statistics make inferences about a population based on a sample. Hypothesis testing and estimation are both types of inferential statistics.

Question 9

The Dalton Company has recently made a decision to build a new plant in Denver.In making this decision it used data supplied by the U.S.Census Bureau.For the Dalton Company,these data are examples of:
A)primary data.
B)secondary data.
C)reliable data.
D)experimental data.

Accepted Answer

The data supplied by the U.S. Census Bureau are pre-existing and not collected specifically for the Dalton Company's use, making them secondary data.

Question 10

A consumer products company is considering introducing a new product nationally.To help make the decision,it first conducts a test market by selling the product for a few months in one city.This is an example of:
A)descriptive statistics.
B)charts and graphs.
C)estimation.
D)hypothesis testing.

Accepted Answer

Conducting a test market by selling a product in one city before a national launch is an example of estimation. It allows the company to estimate potential sales, consumer response, and overall viability of the product on a larger scale based on the data gathered from the test market.

Question 11

In developing and conducting a survey,what is the purpose of the pre-test phase?
A)To make sure that the cost of developing the survey instrument is not too great
B)To generate initial data for analysis
C)To catch any problems with the questionnaire before it is fully administered
D)To make sure that the respondents like the issues being addressed by the survey

Accepted Answer

The purpose of the pre-test phase is to catch any problems, such as confusing or ambiguous questions, in the questionnaire before it is fully administered. This allows for revisions to be made prior to collecting data from the actual survey. A pre-test is important because it can help ensure that the survey is clear, understandable, and generates reliable and valid data.

Question 12

The company that makes a new weight loss pill claims that people who use this pill according to instructions will lose an average of 20 pounds during a four-month period.They say the claim is based on a study of 300 people.Which of the following statistical methods was most likely used to arrive at the company's conclusion?
A)Estimation
B)Hypothesis testing
C)Histograms
D)Bar charts

Accepted Answer

Hypothesis testing is used to draw conclusions about a population based on a sample. The company likely used a sample of 300 people to test the effectiveness of their weight loss pill, and then drew a conclusion about the effectiveness of the pill on the larger population.

Question 13

An Internet service provider wants to determine its level of customer satisfaction.The best data collection method to obtain the results most quickly is:
A)experiment.
B)telephone survey.
C)mailed survey.
D)personal interview.

Accepted Answer

A telephone survey would allow the internet service provider to quickly gather data from a large sample of its customer base in a short amount of time. It is also relatively cost-effective and allows for the potential to ask follow-up questions for clarification. Mailed surveys would take longer to receive responses, personal interviews would be too time-consuming and expensive, and experiments are not a suitable method for measuring customer satisfaction.

Question 14

A political poll that is used to indicate the percentage of voters who will vote for a particular candidate makes use of which of the following?
A)Hypothesis testing
B)Numerical analysis
C)Estimation
D)Both B and C

Accepted Answer

A political poll that indicates the percentage of voters who will vote for a particular candidate uses both numerical analysis and estimation. Numerical analysis involves analyzing and interpreting numerical data, which is what the poll results are based on. Estimation involves using the sample data from the poll to estimate the percentage of the larger population of voters who will vote for the candidate. However, hypothesis testing is not used in this context as there is no specific hypothesis being tested.

Question 15

Estimation and hypothesis testing are categories of:
A)inferential statistics.
B)descriptive statistics.
C)numerical measurement.
D)statistical charts.

Accepted Answer

Estimation and hypothesis testing are both techniques used in inferential statistics, which involves making inferences about a population based on information from a sample. Descriptive statistics, on the other hand, simply summarize and describe data from a sample or population. Numerical measurement and statistical charts are tools used in both descriptive and inferential statistics.

Question 16

Which of the following types of questions provide the respondent with the greatest choice in responding to a question?
A)Open-end questions
B)Close-end questions
C)Multiple choice questions
D)True/false questions

Accepted Answer

Open-end questions provide the respondent with the greatest choice in responding to a question as they allow the respondents to express their opinions and thoughts in their own words without being constrained by pre-set answer options.

Question 17

When the California Highway Patrol states that a study of drivers on a rural highway shows that the average speed is between 62.5 mph and 64.5 mph,they are most likely basing this statement on:
A)descriptive statistics.
B)estimation.
C)hypothesis testing.
D)graphical analysis.

Accepted Answer

The statement suggests that the California Highway Patrol is making an estimation of the average speed based on a sample of drivers on a rural highway. Therefore, estimation is the most likely method being used.

Question 18

For which data collection method is it most important to have a polished-looking survey form?
A)Telephone survey
B)Written questionnaire
C)Experimental design
D)Personal interview

Accepted Answer

A polished-looking survey form is most important for a written questionnaire because the appearance can influence the respondent's willingness to complete the survey and their perception of its legitimacy and importance.

Question 19

A consumer products company wants to interview customers regarding a new product.If it wishes to adhere to a predetermined pattern of questions in the interview,which of the following would likely be used?
A)Structured interview
B)Open-end questioning
C)Unstructured interview
D)Written questionnaire

Accepted Answer

A structured interview involves a predetermined pattern of questions, ensuring that all respondents are asked the same questions in the same order. This is commonly used in market research to collect standardized data and compare results across different groups. Open-end questioning and unstructured interviews allow for more free-form responses, while a written questionnaire is self-administered and doesn't involve an interviewer.

Question 20

Which of the following data collection methods is most likely to generate the largest nonresponse?
A)Mail surveys
B)Direct observation
C)Telephone surveys
D)Personal interviews

Accepted Answer

Mail surveys often have the highest nonresponse rates because the respondent can easily ignore or discard the survey without any personal interaction or pressure to participate.

Quiz 1: The Where,Why,and How of Data Collection

A company is interested in determining which of several advertising layouts is most effective at generating additional sales.The data collection tool that would most likely be used in this situation is:

Based on a survey of 400 students in a university in which 20 percent indicated that they were business majors.The university student newspaper reported that "20 percent of all the students at the university are business majors." This report is an example of:

In conducting a personal interview,what problem can result if the interviewer is allowed to arbitrarily decide who should be interviewed?

A company conducted a survey of its employees to determine their level of satisfaction with various company policies.The data collected from this survey are:

A tire manufacturing company is interested in obtaining data on stopping distances for each of the three main tread types made by the company.The data collection method that would be most likely used in this case would be:

The summaries of data,which may be in forms of tabular,graphical,or numerical,are referred to as:

The Biltmore Hotel manager is getting ready to make a presentation that she hopes will justify adding additional staff.As part of the presentation,she has constructed charts and graphs.The general type of statistical analysis she is using is:

The Dalton Company has recently made a decision to build a new plant in Denver.In making this decision it used data supplied by the U.S.Census Bureau.For the Dalton Company,these data are examples of:

A consumer products company is considering introducing a new product nationally.To help make the decision,it first conducts a test market by selling the product for a few months in one city.This is an example of:

In developing and conducting a survey,what is the purpose of the pre-test phase?

An Internet service provider wants to determine its level of customer satisfaction.The best data collection method to obtain the results most quickly is:

A political poll that is used to indicate the percentage of voters who will vote for a particular candidate makes use of which of the following?

Estimation and hypothesis testing are categories of:

Which of the following types of questions provide the respondent with the greatest choice in responding to a question?

When the California Highway Patrol states that a study of drivers on a rural highway shows that the average speed is between 62.5 mph and 64.5 mph,they are most likely basing this statement on:

For which data collection method is it most important to have a polished-looking survey form?

A consumer products company wants to interview customers regarding a new product.If it wishes to adhere to a predetermined pattern of questions in the interview,which of the following would likely be used?

Which of the following data collection methods is most likely to generate the largest nonresponse?