Question 1

Statistical methods that organize,summarize,or streamline data are called ____.​
A)​parameters
B)​statistics
C)​descriptive statistics
D)​inferential statistics

Accepted Answer

Descriptive statistics are used to organize, summarize and streamline data, whereas parameters are numerical values that describe characteristics of an entire population, and statistics are numerical values that describe characteristics of a sample. Inferential statistics are used to make inferences or predictions about a population based on sample data.

Question 2

A researcher conducts an experiment to determine whether moderate doses of St.John's wort have any effect on memory for college students.For this study,what is the independent variable?​
A)​The amount of St. John's wort given to each participant
B)​The memory score for each participant
C)​The group of college students
D)​Whether or not they are full-time students

Accepted Answer

The independent variable is the variable that is manipulated by the researcher in order to determine its effect on the dependent variable. In this case, the researcher is manipulating the amount of St. John's wort given to each participant, making it the independent variable.

Question 3

Which description provides an example of a continuous variable?​
A)​The gender of each student in a psychology class
B)​The number of males in each class offered by the college
C)​The amount of time to solve a problem
D)​The number of children in a family

Accepted Answer

A continuous variable is one that can take on any value within a certain range or interval. The amount of time to solve a problem can take on any value within a certain interval, making it a continuous variable. The other options are not continuous variables because they take on a finite number of values (A and D) or a discrete number of values (B).

Question 4

The relationship between a statistic and a parameter is the same as the relationship between ____.​
A)​a sample and a population
B)​a statistic and a parameter
C)​a parameter and a population
D)​descriptive statistics and inferential statistics

Accepted Answer

A statistic is a numerical summary of a sample, whereas a parameter is a numerical summary of a population. Therefore, the relationship between a statistic and a parameter is the same as the relationship between a sample and a population. Choice B is incorrect as it just restates the terms used in the question. Choice C is incorrect as it confuses the terms parameter and population. Choice D is incorrect as it refers to different types of statistics and not the relationship between statistic and parameter.

Question 5

Which description provides an example of a discrete variable?​
A)​The time each student arrives in a psychology class
B)​The gender of each student in a psychology class
C)​The amount of time to solve a problem
D)​The amount of weight gained for each freshman at a local college

Accepted Answer

A discrete variable is a variable that can only take on specific values, typically whole numbers or categories. Gender, being a categorical variable with a limited number of possible values, is an example of a discrete variable. Time, both arrival time and amount of time to solve a problem, is continuous and can take on any value within a range. Weight gained is also continuous and can take on any value within a range.

Question 6

A researcher uses an anonymous survey to investigate the study habits of American college students.Based on the set of 56 surveys that were completed and returned,the researcher finds that these students spend an average of 4.1 hours each week working on course material outside of class.For this study,the set of 56 students who returned surveys is an example of a ____.​
A)​parameter
B)​statistic
C)​population
D)​sample

Accepted Answer

The set of 56 students who returned surveys is a sample as it is a subset of the population of American college students. A parameter would refer to a characteristic of the entire population, whereas a statistic refers to a characteristic of the sample.

Question 7

In the simplest experimental study,____.​
A)​one variable is measured and two groups are compared
B)​two variables are measured and two groups are compared
C)​one variable is measured and there is only one group of participants
D)​two variables are measured and there is only one group of participants

Accepted Answer

The simplest experimental study involves measuring one variable (independent variable) and comparing it across two groups (experimental and control group). This is known as a between-subjects design.

Question 8

The average verbal SAT score for the entire class of entering freshmen is 530.However,if you select a sample of 20 freshmen and compute their average verbal SAT score you probably will not get exactly 530.What statistical concept is used to explain the natural difference that exists between a sample mean and the corresponding population mean?​
A)​statistical error
B)​inferential error
C)​sampling error
D)​parametric error

Accepted Answer

Sampling error is the difference between a sample statistic (such as the sample mean) and the corresponding population parameter (such as the population mean). This is due to the fact that a sample is only a subset of the population, and it is subject to random variation. The other answer choices are not commonly used or appropriate in this context.

Question 9

In a research study comparing attitude scores for males and females,participant gender is an example of what kind of variable?​
A)​an independent variable
B)​an dependent variable
C)​a quasi-independent variable
D)​a quasi-dependent variable

Accepted Answer

Participant gender is not something that can be manipulated by the researcher, but it is still an important variable to consider in the study. This makes it a quasi-independent variable.

Question 10

In a correlational study,____.​
A)​one variable is measured and two groups are compared
B)​two variables are measured and two groups are compared
C)​one variable is measured and there is only one group of participants
D)​two variables are measured and there is only one group of participants

Accepted Answer

In a correlational study, two variables are measured and there is only one group of participants. The study aims to determine the relationship between the two variables without manipulating any variables or having a control group to compare with.

Question 11

Although a research study is typically conducted with a relatively small group of participants known as a ____,most researchers hope to generalize their results to a much larger group known as a ____.​
A)​sample; population
B)​statistic; sample
C)​population; sample
D)​parameter; population

Accepted Answer

A research study is typically conducted with a relatively small group of participants known as a sample, and most researchers hope to generalize their results to a much larger group known as a population. Therefore, the best choice is A, which correctly identifies the sample and population. The other options are incorrect as they either reverse the order of sample and population or use incorrect terms (such as statistic and parameter).

Question 12

If a variable can be divided into an infinite number of fractional parts,then it is a(n)____ variable.​
A)​independent
B)​dependent
C)​discrete
D)​continuous

Accepted Answer

Only continuous variables can be divided into an infinite number of fractional parts. A continuous variable is one that can take on any value within a certain range, including decimal and fractional values. Examples of continuous variables include height, weight, and time. Discrete variables, on the other hand, cannot be divided into fractional parts and can only take on certain values, typically integers. Independent and dependent variables are a separate concept related to statistical analysis and do not deal with the precision of measurement.

Question 13

A researcher uses an anonymous survey to investigate the study habits of American college students.The entire group of American college students is an example of a ____.​
A)​sample
B)​statistic
C)​population
D)​parameter

Accepted Answer

The entire group of American college students is the population being studied. Option A, sample, refers to a subset of the population that is being studied. Option B, statistic, is a numerical summary of a sample, while option D, parameter, is a numerical summary of a population.

Question 14

A recent study reports that elementary school students who were given a nutritious breakfast each morning had higher test scores than students who did not receive the breakfast.For this study,what is the independent variable?​
A)​The students who were given the nutritious breakfast
B)​The students who were not given the nutritious breakfast
C)​Whether or not a breakfast was given to the students
D)​The test scores for the students

Accepted Answer

The independent variable is the factor being manipulated or controlled by the researcher in order to determine its effect on the dependent variable, which is the outcome being measured. In this study, the researchers were manipulating whether or not the students received breakfast, making it the independent variable. The dependent variable is the test scores, which were being measured to determine the effect of the breakfast intervention. Therefore, the correct answer is C - Whether or not a breakfast was given to the students.

Question 15

A researcher uses an anonymous survey to investigate the study habits of American college students.Based on the set of 56 surveys that were completed and returned,the researcher finds that these students spend an average of 4.1 hours each week working on course material outside of class.For this study,the average of 4.1 hours is an example of a ____.​
A)​parameter
B)​statistic
C)​population
D)​sample

Accepted Answer

The given average of 4.1 hours is based on the sample of 56 students who completed and returned the survey. Therefore, it is a statistic, which is a numerical summary based on the data from a sample. An example of a parameter would be the average number of hours spent on course material by all American college students, which would require data from the entire population. The population in this study would be all American college students.

Question 16

A characteristic that describes a sample,usually a numerical value,is called a ____.​
A)​parameter
B)​statistic
C)​variable
D)​constant

Accepted Answer

A statistic is a characteristic that describes a sample, usually in numerical form. A parameter, on the other hand, describes a population, not a sample. A variable is a quantity that can take on different values in a study or experiment, and a constant is a fixed value.

Question 17

A researcher records the change in weight (gain or lost)during the first semester of college for each individual in a group of 25 freshmen,and calculates the average change in weight.The average is an example of a ____.​
A)​parameter
B)​statistic
C)​variable
D)​constant

Accepted Answer

The average change in weight calculated by the researcher is a measure of the sample and not the whole population. Therefore, it is an example of a statistic. A parameter would be a measure of the whole population, which is not the case here. Variable and constant do not apply in this context.

Question 18

A researcher is curious about the average monthly cell phone bill for all high school students in the state of Florida.If this average could be obtained,it would be an example of a ____.​
A)​sample
B)​statistic
C)​population
D)​parameter

Accepted Answer

A parameter is a numerical value that describes a characteristic of a population. In this case, the average monthly cell phone bill for all high school students in Florida is a parameter because it pertains to the entire population of interest.

Question 19

In an experiment comparing two methods for teaching social skill training to children with autism,the independent variable is ____ and the dependent variable is ____.​
A)​teaching methods; the autistic children
B)​the autistic children; the social skills that are learned
C)​the social skills that are learned; the autistic children
D)​teaching methods; the social skills that are learned

Accepted Answer

The independent variable is the variable that is being manipulated or changed in the study, which in this case is the teaching methods. The dependent variable is the variable that is being measured or observed, which in this study is the social skills that are learned. Therefore, the best choice is D, where the independent variable is teaching methods and the dependent variable is the social skills that are learned.

Question 20

A researcher is interested in the eating behavior of rats and selects a group of 25 rats to be tested in a research study.The group of 25 rats is an example of a ____.​
A)​sample
B)​statistic
C)​population
D)​parameter

Accepted Answer

A sample refers to a subset of a larger population, which in this case would be all rats. The researcher has selected 25 rats from the population to participate in the research study, making it a sample. B) A statistic is a numerical summary of a sample, not the sample itself. C) The population would include all rats, not just the 25 selected for the study. D) A parameter is a numerical summary of a population, not a sample.

Quiz 1: Introduction to Statistics

Statistical methods that organize,summarize,or streamline data are called ____.

A researcher conducts an experiment to determine whether moderate doses of St.John's wort have any effect on memory for college students.For this study,what is the independent variable?

Which description provides an example of a continuous variable?

The relationship between a statistic and a parameter is the same as the relationship between ____.

Which description provides an example of a discrete variable?

In the simplest experimental study,____.

In a research study comparing attitude scores for males and females,participant gender is an example of what kind of variable?

In a correlational study,____.

Although a research study is typically conducted with a relatively small group of participants known as a ,most researchers hope to generalize their results to a much larger group known as a .

If a variable can be divided into an infinite number of fractional parts,then it is a(n) ____ variable.

A researcher uses an anonymous survey to investigate the study habits of American college students.The entire group of American college students is an example of a ____.

A recent study reports that elementary school students who were given a nutritious breakfast each morning had higher test scores than students who did not receive the breakfast.For this study,what is the independent variable?

A characteristic that describes a sample,usually a numerical value,is called a ____.

A researcher records the change in weight (gain or lost) during the first semester of college for each individual in a group of 25 freshmen,and calculates the average change in weight.The average is an example of a ____.

A researcher is curious about the average monthly cell phone bill for all high school students in the state of Florida.If this average could be obtained,it would be an example of a ____.

In an experiment comparing two methods for teaching social skill training to children with autism,the independent variable is and the dependent variable is .

A researcher is interested in the eating behavior of rats and selects a group of 25 rats to be tested in a research study.The group of 25 rats is an example of a ____.

Quiz 1: Introduction to Statistics

Statistical methods that organize,summarize,or streamline data are called ____.​

A researcher conducts an experiment to determine whether moderate doses of St.John's wort have any effect on memory for college students.For this study,what is the independent variable?​

Which description provides an example of a continuous variable?​

The relationship between a statistic and a parameter is the same as the relationship between ____.​

Which description provides an example of a discrete variable?​

In the simplest experimental study,____.​

In a research study comparing attitude scores for males and females,participant gender is an example of what kind of variable?​

In a correlational study,____.​

Although a research study is typically conducted with a relatively small group of participants known as a ____,most researchers hope to generalize their results to a much larger group known as a ____.​

If a variable can be divided into an infinite number of fractional parts,then it is a(n) ____ variable.​

A researcher uses an anonymous survey to investigate the study habits of American college students.The entire group of American college students is an example of a ____.​

A recent study reports that elementary school students who were given a nutritious breakfast each morning had higher test scores than students who did not receive the breakfast.For this study,what is the independent variable?​

A characteristic that describes a sample,usually a numerical value,is called a ____.​

A researcher records the change in weight (gain or lost) during the first semester of college for each individual in a group of 25 freshmen,and calculates the average change in weight.The average is an example of a ____.​

A researcher is curious about the average monthly cell phone bill for all high school students in the state of Florida.If this average could be obtained,it would be an example of a ____.​

In an experiment comparing two methods for teaching social skill training to children with autism,the independent variable is ____ and the dependent variable is ____.​

A researcher is interested in the eating behavior of rats and selects a group of 25 rats to be tested in a research study.The group of 25 rats is an example of a ____.​