Question 1

A biologist studying hatchery fish released into rivers recorded several characteristics including length (centimetres),weight (kilograms),and life span.

Accepted Answer

The biologist recorded length in centimetres and weight in kilograms, both of which are quantitative measurements. The biologist also recorded life span in years, which is also a quantitative measurement. Therefore, the best choice is D, which includes all three quantitative measurements in appropriate units.

Question 2

Nutritionists at a large university investigating the impact of dining hall food choices on freshman weight gain collected data (through weekly surveys)from 300 students throughout their freshman year.They kept track of the student's age,the number of times eating in the hall per week,the number of hours spent exercising per week,and the student's weight each week.

Accepted Answer

Choice B accurately identifies the nutritionists as the researchers conducting the study, the 300 freshman students as the cases, the relevant variables collected (age, dining hall visits, exercise, weight), the time frame (freshman year), the location (large university), and the data collection method (weekly surveys). Choice A misidentifies the cases as the nutritionists, while Choice C misidentifies the location as only the dining hall. Choice D is incorrect as there is no indication that the nutritionists are the cases being studied. Choice E is incorrect as it suggests phone surveys instead of the stated weekly surveys.

Question 3

In an effort to improve profits,a major Canadian car rental company monitors all rentals for safety and customer satisfaction.For each rental the company must report the type of car,the age of the driver,whether the car was ready at the agreed upon time,and any mechanical problems.

Accepted Answer

Choice A correctly identifies all the relevant information, including who is being monitored (all car rentals), what data is being collected (type of car, age of driver, readiness of car, and mechanical problems), when the data is being collected (current), where the data is being collected (Canada), why the data is being collected (to improve profits), and how the data is being collected (from rental records).

Question 4

As research for a science class,seventh graders at a grade school in Ontario collected data on weather patterns.For each day in January of 2014,they recorded the high and low temperatures,precipitation,humidity,and wind speed.

Accepted Answer

The correct choice is A because it accurately describes the subjects of the study (all days in January 2014), identifies each day as a separate case, lists the variables collected (high and low temperatures, precipitation, humidity, and wind speed), specifies the time frame (January 2014), the location (Ontario), the purpose (research for a science class), and acknowledges that the method of data collection is not specified.

Question 5

A Consumer Reports article about 116 HDTVs list each set's manufacturer,cost,screen size,and type (LCD or plasma).

Accepted Answer

The manufacturer and type variables are categorical, while the cost and screen size variables are quantitative. The cost variable is measured in dollars and the screen size variable is measured in inches. This is the best choice as it accurately reflects the nature of the variables being described in the article.

Question 6

A TSN analyst collected data relating to the free throw percentage of 400 basketball players.He recorded average number of free throws taken per game,height of player,position played (guard,centre,etc.),and what routine they follow before shooting (dribble once,spin ball on hand,etc.).

Accepted Answer

The best choice includes the quantitative variable of the average number of free throws per game, the quantitative variable of height of player in centimetres, the categorical variable of position played, and the categorical variable of routine before shooting. This combination of variables allows for a comprehensive analysis of factors that may affect free throw percentage, such as player position and pre-shot routine. The number of free throws taken is not necessary as this is already included in the calculation of the free throw percentage. Position played should be a categorical variable as there are specific positions in basketball (guard, centre, etc.) and not a quantitative variable. The routine before shooting is a categorical variable since there are distinct habits that players may have before taking a free throw. Thus, choice C is the best option.

Question 7

In 2014,a soft drink company trying to find ways to boost sales over their competitors compiled these data about consumers: age,weekly consumption,diet vs.regular preference,cola vs non-cola preference,and geographical location.

Accepted Answer

Option B is correct because it accurately identifies the "who" as consumers, with each consumer being a case. It also correctly lists all the data points collected (age, weekly consumption, diet vs. regular preference, cola vs. non-cola preference, and geographical location) and states the purpose of collecting this data (to find ways to boost sales) without specifying unnecessary details or incorrect information.

Question 8

In an effort to improve the overall health and well-being of its employees,a large corporation distributed a written survey to each of its 1400 employees.Data collected included number of hours worked per week,number of hours spent exercising per week,number of hours spent enjoying hobbies per week,and number of hours spent with family/friends per week.

Accepted Answer

Option B provides the most accurate and comprehensive description of the survey. It includes all relevant details such as the number of employees surveyed, the data collected, the purpose of the survey, and the method used. Options A, C, D, and E either provide incomplete or inaccurate information.

Question 9

A Ph.D.candidate is collecting data about women in mathematics careers.She interviewed 200 female mathematicians and recorded the following data: number of years attending university,math classes taken in high school (algebra,geometry,etc.),gender of high school math teacher,and high school average (in %).

Accepted Answer

Number of years attending university and high school average are quantitative variables, while math classes taken in high school and gender of high school math teacher are categorical variables.

Question 10

Data are always numbers.

Accepted Answer

Data can include non-numerical information such as text, images, and audio.

Question 11

A Fortune 500 company concerned about the retirement investments made by its employees,collected the following data: age of employee,amount contributed monthly,and type of contribution.

Accepted Answer

The age of employee and the amount contributed monthly are both quantitative variables with years and dollars as units respectively. The type of contribution is a categorical variable as it can be classified into different categories such as employer matching, Roth IRA, Traditional IRA, etc. The fact that it is a Fortune 500 company is not relevant to the variables being measured, hence it is not included in the data set. Therefore, option D is the best choice.

Question 12

Is the statement below a correct use of the word "statistics"? If not,why?
"Don't drink and drive; you don't want to be a statistic."

Accepted Answer

The answer of Is the statement below a correct use...

Question 13

A university requires coaches to keep these records on all athletes: age,days absent,medical history,emergency contact,and any allergies the athlete may have.

Accepted Answer

The correct choice is A because it accurately identifies the "Who" as the athletes, the "Cases" as each athlete being an individual case, and the "What" as the specific records required by the university: age, days absent, medical history, emergency contact, and allergy history.

Question 14

An Ontario hospital concerned about the rising number of low birth weight babies collected data from 300 births over a five year time span.They recorded the mother's age,the mother's prepregnancy weight,the level of prenatal care (none,minimal,adequate),and whether the mother used drugs during pregnancy (cigarettes,alcohol,etc.).

Accepted Answer

This option includes all the variables mentioned in the prompt and correctly identifies their type of measurement. Mother's age and weight are both quantitative variables measured in years and kilograms, respectively. Prenatal care and drug use are both categorical variables.

Question 15

A survey of bicycles parked outside student residences at a university recorded the style (mountain bike,ten speed,etc.),the brand,the color,and the age.

Accepted Answer

This option clearly identifies the subject (bicycles parked outside student residences), the variables being measured (style, brand, color, and age), the location (a university), and the method of data collection (survey outside student residences). It also does not make any assumptions or include irrelevant information, making it the most appropriate choice.

Question 16

In an effort to better inform its customers,Tim Hortons' website gives nutrition facts for each type of doughnut they sell.This information includes the number of calories,total fat,sodium,sugar,and protein.

Accepted Answer

Option A accurately describes the scenario where each type of doughnut sold at Tim Hortons is considered a separate case, and the nutritional information provided (calories, total fat, sodium, sugar, and protein) is aimed at informing customers about the nutritional value of each doughnut. This information is current and available on Tim Hortons' website.

Question 17

A consumer reporting magazine published an article evaluating infant car seats in Canada.It listed 10 models,giving the brand,cost,age limit,weight limit,and overall safety rating.

Accepted Answer

Option D accurately describes the scenario by identifying the individual car seat models as the cases and detailing the specific attributes (brand, cost, age limit, weight limit, and overall safety rating) that were evaluated, all within the context of providing information to readers in Canada.

Question 18

Individuals can be statistics.

Accepted Answer

Statistics are numerical data or information derived from analyzing the characteristics or behaviors of groups of individuals, not the individuals themselves.

Question 19

The students at York University are concerned about rising costs at their university.They surveyed 2000 undergraduate students at 10 other Canadian universities and recorded the following data for the current semester: cost of tuition,book cost,and room and board cost.

Accepted Answer

Choice C accurately describes who was surveyed (2000 undergraduate students at Canadian universities), what information was collected (cost of tuition, book cost, and room and board cost for the current semester), when the data was collected (current semester), where the data was collected (10 Canadian universities), why the survey was conducted (concerns about rising costs at their own university), and how the data was collected (surveyed students).

Question 20

When determining the batting average for a baseball player you must have data on the number of hits in the season,and the number of at-bats in the season.

Accepted Answer

The number of hits and number of at-bats are both quantitative variables with the units of hits and at-bats respectively. This is the most appropriate choice for determining the batting average.

Quiz 1: Stats Starts Here

A biologist studying hatchery fish released into rivers recorded several characteristics including length (centimetres) ,weight (kilograms) ,and life span.