Question 1

Which of the following best defines statistics?

Accepted Answer

The science of collecting, organizing, analyzing, and interpreting information to draw conclusions or answer questions.

Question 2

A researcher wants to know the average number of hours college students sleep per night. She surveys 200 randomly selected students from her university. In this scenario, what is the population?

Accepted Answer

All college students at her university.

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of a quantitative variable?

Accepted Answer

The number of pets owned by a person.

Question 4

A variable that can take on any value within a given range is called:

Accepted Answer

A continuous variable.

Question 5

Which of the following best describes a parameter?

Accepted Answer

A numerical summary of a population.

Question 6

In a study, researchers randomly assign participants to receive either a new medication or a placebo and then measure their blood pressure. What type of study is this?

Accepted Answer

Designed experiment.

Question 7

Which of the following is an example of response bias?

Accepted Answer

Survey participants give answers they think are socially acceptable rather than their true feelings.

Question 8

A researcher collects data on the number of children in each classroom in a school. What type of variable is this?

Accepted Answer

Discrete quantitative variable.

Question 9

Which level of measurement allows for the calculation of meaningful differences but not ratios?

Accepted Answer

Interval level.

Question 10

A survey asks respondents to rate their agreement with a statement on a scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). What is the level of measurement for this variable?

Accepted Answer

Ordinal level.

Question 11

Which of the following best describes a simple random sample?

Accepted Answer

Every possible sample of a given size has an equal chance of being selected.

Question 12

A study investigates the relationship between hours of sleep and academic performance by collecting data from students at one point in time. What type of observational study is this?

Accepted Answer

Cross-sectional study.

Question 13

Which of the following is an example of undercoverage bias?

Accepted Answer

A survey is conducted by calling landline phones, missing people who only use cell phones.

Question 14

A researcher wants to determine if a new teaching method improves test scores. She randomly assigns students to either the new method or the traditional method. What is the explanatory variable?

Accepted Answer

The teaching method used.

Question 15

Which of the following is a characteristic of an observational study?

Accepted Answer

The researcher does not manipulate the explanatory variable.

Question 16

A researcher collects data on the heights of students in centimeters. What is the level of measurement for this variable?

Accepted Answer

Ratio level.

Question 17

Which of the following is an example of a lurking variable?

Accepted Answer

A variable not considered in the study that affects the response variable.

Question 18

A study follows a group of individuals over several years to observe the development of a disease. What type of observational study is this?

Accepted Answer

Cohort study.

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a source of bias in sampling?

Accepted Answer

Random selection of participants.

Question 20

A researcher wants to estimate the average income of all adults in a city. She surveys 500 randomly selected adults. The average income calculated from these 500 adults is:

Accepted Answer

A statistic.

Chapter 1: Data Collection and Introduction to Statistical Thinking

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards