Question 1

Which of the following best describes a population in a statistical study?

Accepted Answer

The complete collection of all elements to be studied.

Question 2

A researcher wants to estimate the average weight of all adult elephants in a national park. She measures the weight of 30 randomly selected elephants. Which term best describes the average weight calculated from these 30 elephants?

Accepted Answer

Statistic

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

Favorite color

Question 4

A survey asks students to rate their satisfaction with campus facilities as 'poor', 'fair', 'good', or 'excellent'. What level of measurement is this data?

Accepted Answer

Ordinal

Question 5

Which of the following best describes a discrete quantitative variable?

Accepted Answer

A variable that can only take specific, countable values, such as number of books.

Question 6

In a study, researchers divide a population of patients into groups based on age (18-29, 30-49, 50-69, 70+), then randomly select individuals from each group. What sampling method is being used?

Accepted Answer

Stratified sampling

Question 7

A radio station asks listeners to call in and rate their cell phone company. What type of sample is this?

Accepted Answer

Voluntary (self-selected) sample

Question 8

Which of the following is an example of response bias?

Accepted Answer

Respondents giving inaccurate answers due to the wording of the question.

Question 9

A researcher wants to study the effect of a new drug on blood pressure. She randomly assigns participants to either receive the drug or a placebo and measures their blood pressure after treatment. What type of study is this?

Accepted Answer

Designed experiment

Question 10

Which of the following statements about simple random sampling is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Every possible sample of size $$n$$ has an equally likely chance of being chosen.

Question 11

A teacher wants to select a sample of students by numbering each student and choosing every 5th student. What sampling method is this?

Accepted Answer

Systematic sampling

Question 12

Which of the following is an example of a lurking variable in a study examining the effect of soda price on vending machine sales, where the price is changed halfway through the month?

Accepted Answer

The weather during the first and second half of the month.

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a type of bias discussed in the study materials?

Accepted Answer

Measurement bias

Question 14

A study finds that people who eat apples daily have a lower incidence of flu. Which conclusion is appropriate based on this observational study?

Accepted Answer

There is an association between eating apples and flu incidence.

Question 15

Which of the following best describes a ratio level of measurement?

Accepted Answer

Values can be ranked, differences and ratios are meaningful, and zero means absence of the quantity.

Question 16

In a double-blind experiment, who is unaware of which treatment the subjects receive?

Accepted Answer

Both the subjects and the researchers

Question 17

A sample is said to be biased if:

Accepted Answer

It is not representative of the population from which it is drawn.

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

Weight of a newborn baby

Question 19

A study uses all students in a university to determine the average GPA. What type of study is this?

Accepted Answer

Census

Question 20

A researcher divides a city into neighborhoods and randomly selects three neighborhoods. She surveys all residents in those neighborhoods. What sampling method is this?

Accepted Answer

Cluster sampling

Chapter 1: Data Collection – Foundations of Statistical Studies

Study Guide - Practice Questions

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