Question 1

If I want to summarize the characteristics of my statistics class to my friend, I should use

Accepted Answer

Descriptive statistics would be the best choice for summarizing the characteristics of a statistics class to a friend. This would involve describing the measures of central tendency (e.g. mean, median, mode) and variability (e.g. range, standard deviation) of the class data, as well as any relevant graphs or charts used to display the data.

Question 2

A specific amount or category of the independent variable creating the specific situation under which the participants' scores on some other variable are measured is called a/an

Accepted Answer

A condition refers to a specific amount or category of the independent variable that creates the specific situation under which participants' responses or scores on the dependent variable are observed or measured.

Question 3

The individuals measured in a sample are called the

Accepted Answer

The individuals measured in a sample are referred to as participants, as they are the subjects from whom data is collected.

Question 4

A researcher investigates whether there is a relationship between hours of sleep and memory for photographs by having 40 people sleep in the laboratory and waking 20 of the participants after 4 hours of sleep and the others after 8 hours of sleep.After they are awakened, each participant is asked to study 21 photographs and then recall as many details from the photographs as possible.In this study, what is 8 hours of sleep?

Accepted Answer

8 hours of sleep is a condition of the independent variable, which is the amount of sleep.

Question 5

When a change in the scores of one variable is accompanied by a consistent change in the scores of another variable, we have what is known as a

Accepted Answer

When a change in the scores of one variable is accompanied by a consistent change in the scores of another variable, it indicates a relationship between those variables. This relationship can be positive or negative, but it signifies that the variables are connected in some way, not necessarily implying causation.

Question 6

The variable systematically changed or manipulated by a researcher in an experiment is called the

Accepted Answer

The independent variable is the one that is changed or manipulated by the researcher in an experiment to observe its effect on the dependent variable.

Question 7

In statistics, a sample is

Accepted Answer

A sample in statistics refers to a subset of a larger group or population from which data is collected for the purpose of making inferences about the larger group.

Question 8

Suppose you are interested in how participants perform under different temperature conditions.You select 30 participants and assign them to work in one of three rooms.The rooms differ only with respect to temperature.You instruct all participants to solve the same jigsaw puzzle, and then you measure how long it takes each one to finish. This research is an example of

Accepted Answer

This research is an example of an experimental study because it involves manipulating an independent variable (temperature) to observe its effect on a dependent variable (time taken to solve a jigsaw puzzle) in a controlled setting.

Question 9

Suppose you are interested in how participants perform under different temperature conditions.You select 30 participants and assign them to work in one of three rooms.The rooms differ only with respect to temperature.You instruct all participants to solve the same jigsaw puzzle, and then you measure how long it takes each one to finish.In this research, the experimenter is investigating whether

Accepted Answer

The research design described involves varying the temperature of the rooms and measuring the effect of this variation on the time it takes participants to solve a jigsaw puzzle. This implies that the experimenter is investigating whether the time required to solve a jigsaw puzzle depends on the temperature of the environment, making option C correct.

Question 10

In statistics a population is

Accepted Answer

A population in statistics refers to the entire group of individuals or items to which a specific research or study is intended to apply. This can include not just people, but any set of items or entities relevant to the study's objectives.

Question 11

Which of the following is not a purpose of statistical procedures?

Accepted Answer

Statistical procedures are used for organizing, summarizing, and communicating data, but "hypothesizing data" is not a recognized purpose of statistical procedures. Hypotheses are formulated based on data, but the data itself is not hypothesized.

Question 12

A statistics class has 60% females and 40% males.A researcher selects a sample having 80% males and 20% females.Why should the researcher be cautious of making inferences about the entire class based on the sample?

Accepted Answer

The sample significantly differs in gender distribution from the entire class (80% males vs. 20% females in the sample compared to 40% males vs. 60% females in the class), indicating it is unrepresentative of the population.

Question 13

Which of the following is a variable?

Accepted Answer

The height of the players on a basketball team is a variable because it can vary from player to player.

Question 14

In research, the aspects of the situation or behavior we measure are called

Accepted Answer

Variables are the aspects of situations or behaviors that researchers measure or manipulate in their studies. They can vary from one individual, situation, or point in time to another.

Question 15

A relationship is not present when

Accepted Answer

A relationship implies that changes in one variable are associated with changes in another. If virtually the same set of Y scores is paired with every X score, it means that changes in X do not lead to changes in Y, indicating no relationship.

Question 16

Which of the following studies is best for showing the first variable produces a change in the second variable?

Accepted Answer

B is the best choice because it involves manipulating one variable (amount of sleep) and observing its effect on another variable (crankiness), which directly assesses causality.

Question 17

In order to make statements about the population from information obtained from a sample, we must use

Accepted Answer

Inferential statistics allow us to make inferences and draw conclusions about the population based on the information obtained from a sample. Descriptive statistics are used to summarize and describe the characteristics of the sample, but do not allow us to make statements about the population as a whole. Experimental and correlational designs refer to study designs, which may or may not involve the use of inferential statistics.

Question 18

The variable measured as an experiment is being carried out is called the

Accepted Answer

The dependent variable is the variable that is being measured or tested in an experiment. It is dependent on the independent variable, which is the variable that is manipulated by the researcher to observe its effect on the dependent variable.

Question 19

A representative sample is one

Accepted Answer

A representative sample is defined as having characteristics that accurately reflect the characteristics of the population from which it is drawn. This ensures that the sample can be used to make generalizations about the larger population.

Question 20

Of the following data sets, which shows a relationship?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Of the following data sets, which shows...

Quiz 1: Introduction to Statistics and Research