Question 1

When making a histogram, it is easiest if you begin with a:

Accepted Answer

A frequency table lists the number of times each value occurs in a dataset, making it easier to visualize the distribution of the data in a histogram.

Question 2

A histogram looks most like:

Accepted Answer

A histogram is a graphical representation of data that uses bars of different heights to show the frequency of data points within certain ranges, resembling the uneven skyline of a city.

Question 3

In a histogram, the vertical (up and down)dimension displays:

Accepted Answer

The vertical dimension in a histogram displays the frequency, or how often each value occurs in the data set.

Question 4

A frequency polygon looks most like:

Accepted Answer

A frequency polygon is a graphical representation of the distribution of a dataset. It is created by plotting each class or category at the midpoint on the x-axis and connecting these points with straight lines. This results in a shape that resembles the silhouette of mountains, as it typically has peaks and valleys corresponding to the frequencies of the data.

Question 5

Consider the scores 2, 6, 7, 1, 7, 8, 5, 4. Which of the following would be the correct second line of the frequency table?

Accepted Answer

The second line of a frequency table shows the number of times each score appears in the data set. Counting the scores given, we have:
- 2 appears once
- 6 appears once
- 7 appears twice
- 1 appears once
- 8 appears once
- 5 appears once
- 4 appears once
Therefore, the correct second line of the frequency table is 7, 2, indicating that the score 7 appears 2 times in the data set. To calculate the percentage, we divide the frequency of each score by the total number of scores:
- 7 appears 2 times out of 8 total scores, which is 2/8 or 25%. 
So the answer is B.

Question 6

An important difference between a histogram and a frequency polygon is that the frequency polygon:

Accepted Answer

A frequency polygon begins and ends with a frequency of zero to close the shape along the horizontal axis, unlike a histogram which is made up of bars and does not necessarily start or end with a frequency of zero.

Question 7

When a distribution is skewed to the right, it means that:

Accepted Answer

When a distribution is skewed to the right, it means that most of the data points are concentrated on the lower end of the scale, with the tail extending to the right towards the higher values. This indicates that there are more scores piled up at the low end of the range.

Question 8

When working with a nominal variable, the histogram is called a(n):

Accepted Answer

A histogram for a nominal variable is called a bar graph. This is because a nominal variable only has categorical data that is grouped into specific categories, which can be represented using bars on a graph.

Question 9

A researcher rates participants' empathic responses to the distress of strangers on a scale of 1 to 10. Most participants were rated either 3 or 7. How would this distribution be described?

Accepted Answer

The distribution is bimodal because there are two clear peaks at 3 and 7, indicating that there are two distinct groups of participants with different levels of empathic response.

Question 10

If all the values in a distribution have about the same frequency, it is called a(n):

Accepted Answer

A rectangular distribution occurs when all values in a distribution have about the same frequency, creating a flat shape like a rectangle. A multimodal distribution has multiple peaks, a bimodal distribution has two peaks, and an equalized distribution is not a commonly used term in statistics.

Question 11

Consider the scores 1, 3, 3, 5, 6, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8. Which of the following would be the correct top line of a frequency table?

Accepted Answer

The top line of a frequency table typically shows the highest score, its frequency, and its percentage of the total. The highest score is 8, it appears once, and 1 out of 10 is 10%.

Question 12

On the first exam in an introductory statistics class most students did very well and only a few did poorly. How would you describe the distribution of test scores?

Accepted Answer

If most students did very well and only a few did poorly, then the distribution is not symmetrical. It is also not skewed to the right as that would indicate most students did poorly and only a few did well. Thus, the only remaining option is B, which indicates a distribution that is skewed to the left, with the majority of scores being higher and only a few being lower. There is no evidence of a floor effect based on the given information.

Question 13

Why might a frequency polygon include an extra value at the start and end along the bottom?

Accepted Answer

Including an extra value at the start and end of the bottom of the frequency polygon ensures that the polygon is a closed figure, as it connects back to the y-axis at both ends. This creates a clear visual representation of the distribution of the data.

Question 14

The distribution of scores in a research study in the behavioral and social sciences is usually:

Accepted Answer

The distribution of scores in a research study in the behavioral and social sciences is usually unimodal, meaning that there is one clear peak or mode in the distribution. This is because most experimental and survey data will follow a normal distribution, where the majority of scores fall around the mean. Bimodal distributions may occur when there are two distinct groups in the study population, but this is less common in behavioral and social sciences research. Multimodal distributions may occur when there are multiple groups or subpopulations with different characteristics, but again, this is not as common in these fields. Rectangular distributions are rare and indicate a lack of variability in the data.

Question 15

Place the five steps for making a frequency polygon into the correct order: 1. Along the left side of the page (y-axis), make a scale of frequencies that ranges from 0 at the bottom to the highest frequency for any value.
2) Connect the points with lines.
3) Make a frequency table.
4) Mark a point above each value with a height for the frequency of that value.
5) Put the values along the bottom of the page (x-axis).

Accepted Answer

The correct order for making a frequency polygon starts with making a frequency table (3), then placing values along the x-axis (5), setting up the frequency scale on the y-axis (1), marking points for each value's frequency (4), and finally connecting these points with lines (2).

Question 16

Social scientists use frequency tables, histograms, or frequency polygons to show:

Accepted Answer

Social scientists use frequency tables, histograms, or frequency polygons to show how the data they collect are distributed. These visual representations help them analyze and interpret the data, identify patterns and trends, and draw conclusions. They are used in descriptive statistics to summarize large data sets and present them in a more manageable form.

Question 17

In a histogram, the horizontal dimension displays a:

Accepted Answer

In a histogram, the horizontal axis (or dimension) is used to display the range of possible values that the variable can take. Each bar in a histogram represents the frequency of data points within each range of values.

Question 18

When a distribution is skewed to the left, it is likely that:

Accepted Answer

The answer of When a distribution is skewed to the...

Question 19

On an exam in a cognitive psychology class, most students attained a perfect score. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

A ceiling effect occurs when a large proportion of scores are at the highest possible level, which is the case in this scenario where most students attained a perfect score.

Question 20

A histogram is most closely related to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A histogram is a type of bar chart that displays the distribution of numerical data. Each bar represents a range of values (called a bin) and the height of the bar represents the frequency (or count) of observations that fall within that range.

Quiz 1: Displaying the Order in a Group of Numbers Using Tables and Graphs