Question 1

Anecdotal evidence is always sufficient support for a claim.

Accepted Answer

Anecdotal evidence is based on personal experience or individual testimony, which can be biased or subjective. It is important to gather more objective and systematic evidence to support a claim. Therefore, anecdotal evidence alone is not always sufficient support.

Question 2

Evaluating sources involves
A) identifying a study's sponsor.
B) ignoring corroborating sources.
C) assessing the reputation of a printed source.
D) determining the quality of Web sources.
E) checking the publication date.

Accepted Answer

B

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of faulty statistical analysis?
A) undefined average
B) sanitized statistics
C) bogus ranking
D) biased meta-analysis
E) All of these answers are correct.

Accepted Answer

All of the given options are examples of faulty statistical analysis. 
Undefined average means that the type of average used is not defined, which can lead to misleading results. 
Sanitized statistics refer to presenting or analyzing data in a way that is skewed to a particular viewpoint or conclusion. 
Bogus ranking is when data is ranked in a way that is not supported by the actual values or measurements. 
Biased meta-analysis is when a meta-analysis (a statistical analysis that combines results from multiple studies) is influenced by the researcher's biases or preferences.

Question 4

The margin of_________ is a range within which the true value falls.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The margin of_________ is a range within...

Question 5

The numerical measure of the strength of the relationship between variables is called
A) causation.
B) a confounding factor.
C) correlation.
D) a meta-analysis.
E) an interpretation.

Accepted Answer

Correlation is the numerical measure of the strength of the relationship between variables. Causation refers to a relationship where one variable causes another, which is not necessarily the case with correlation. A confounding factor is a variable that can affect the outcome of a study and may lead to incorrect conclusions. A meta-analysis is a statistical technique that combines the results of multiple studies. Interpretation is the process of making sense of data and results.

Question 6

Sample size is not important to the strength of a percentage.

Accepted Answer

The strength or reliability of a percentage as a statistical measure increases with the sample size. Larger sample sizes tend to provide more accurate estimates of the population parameter, reducing the margin of error and increasing confidence in the results.

Question 7

Correlation implies causation.

Accepted Answer

Correlation does not necessarily imply causation. Just because two variables are correlated does not mean that one causes the other. There may be other factors or variables that contribute to the relationship between them.

Question 8

Which of the following statements is most accurate?
A) Even a complex effect has only one cause.
B) Faulty statistical reasoning rarely produces numbers that are deceptive or inaccurate.
C) Evidence that contradicts your own assumptions should be ignored.
D) Terminology used to report statistics often hides their real meaning.
E) None of these statements are accurate.

Accepted Answer

Terminology used to report statistics can often be misleading or confusing for non-experts, making it important to have a clear understanding of what terms and calculations represent in order to properly interpret statistical data. The other statements are inaccurate or outright false.

Question 9

When we come to a conclusion about what we don't know by reasoning from what we do know, we make
A) an inference.
B) a claim.
C) an analysis.
D) an average.
E) a fallacy.

Accepted Answer

Making a conclusion about what we don't know by reasoning from what we do know is the definition of an inference.

Question 10

The purpose of statistical analysis is to sanitize the numbers we collect.

Accepted Answer

The purpose of statistical analysis is not to sanitize the numbers, but rather to extract meaningful insights and conclusions from the data. Statistical analysis involves applying mathematical and statistical methods to the data to identify patterns, relationships, and trends. This can help to inform decision-making and guide future research or actions. While data quality is important for statistical analysis, this is usually addressed through data cleaning and preparation processes, rather than by sanitizing the numbers themselves.

Question 11

Reliable research produces results that can be replicated.

Accepted Answer

One of the key characteristics of reliable research is that the results can be replicated by other researchers. This means that if another researcher were to conduct the same study using the same methods and procedures, they should get similar results. This is necessary for the findings to be considered reliable and trustworthy.

Question 12

To check your evidence for weaknesses, do all of the following except
A) identify misleading terminology.
B) accept all generalizations.
C) assess studies for limitations.
D) scrutinize all statistical analyses.
E) examine claims of causation closely.

Accepted Answer

Accepting all generalizations is not a way to check evidence for weaknesses, as not all generalizations may be accurate or applicable in every situation. Instead, it is important to examine studies and statistical analyses, scrutinize claims of causation, and identify any misleading terminology.

Question 13

If the evidence follows your belief, you are _________; if your belief follows the evidence, you are_________ .

Accepted Answer

The answer of If the evidence follows your belief, you...

Question 14

All types of research studies have common flaws.

Accepted Answer

All types of research studies, whether quantitative, qualitative, experimental or observational, have potential flaws such as sampling biases, measurement errors, and confounding variables. These flaws can affect the validity and reliability of the study findings. However, researchers strive to minimize these common flaws through rigorous study design, data collection, and analysis techniques.

Question 15

__________evidence includes facts and statistics; _________evidence includes speculations and data obtained unscientifically.

Accepted Answer

The answer of __________evidence includes facts and statistics; _________evidence includes...

Question 16

Computer analyses always produce unbiased results.

Accepted Answer

Computer analyses can be influenced by the programming and the dataset used, which can introduce bias into the results.

Question 17

Assumptions are ideas that we accept without proof.

Accepted Answer

Assumptions are commonly defined as ideas that are taken for granted or accepted without proof.

Question 18

The value that occurs most often in a set of numbers is the
A) mean.
B) majority.
C) median.
D) mode.
E) outlier.

Accepted Answer

The mode is the value that occurs most frequently in a set of numbers. It is different from the mean and median, which are measures of central tendency that take into account all values in the set. The majority and outlier are not statistical measures used to describe a set of numbers.

Question 19

The most recent information is always the most reliable.

Accepted Answer

The most recent information may not always be the most reliable as it can be subject to errors, biases or may be based on incomplete data. It is important to verify sources and cross-check information before considering it reliable.

Quiz 8: Evaluating and Interpreting Information

Anecdotal evidence is always sufficient support for a claim.

Evaluating sources involves

Which of the following is an example of faulty statistical analysis?

The margin of_________ is a range within which the true value falls.

The numerical measure of the strength of the relationship between variables is called

Sample size is not important to the strength of a percentage.

Correlation implies causation.

Which of the following statements is most accurate?

When we come to a conclusion about what we don't know by reasoning from what we do know, we make

The purpose of statistical analysis is to sanitize the numbers we collect.

Reliable research produces results that can be replicated.

To check your evidence for weaknesses, do all of the following except

If the evidence follows your belief, you are _; if your belief follows the evidence, you are_ .

All types of research studies have common flaws.

__evidence includes facts and statistics; _evidence includes speculations and data obtained unscientifically.

Computer analyses always produce unbiased results.

Assumptions are ideas that we accept without proof.

The value that occurs most often in a set of numbers is the

The most recent information is always the most reliable.