Question 1

Which of the following best describes the main objective of statistics?

Accepted Answer

To make inferences about a population based on information from a sample.

Question 2

In the tomato example, what is the population of interest?

Accepted Answer

All Beef Steak tomato plants grown in Lubbock, TX.

Question 3

Which of the following is a correct definition of a variable in statistics?

Accepted Answer

A variable is a measurable characteristic.

Question 4

Which type of variable is measured and can take infinitely many values?

Accepted Answer

Continuous variable

Question 5

A researcher wants to study the effect of a new drug on blood pressure. She randomly assigns patients to receive either the drug or a placebo and controls their diet and exercise. What type of study is this?

Accepted Answer

Designed experiment

Question 6

Which sampling method involves dividing the population into non-overlapping groups and then taking a simple random sample from each group?

Accepted Answer

Stratified sampling

Question 7

Suppose you want to select a simple random sample of 5 clients from a list of 30 using a table of random numbers. What should you do if a number greater than 30 appears?

Accepted Answer

Skip it and select the next number.

Question 8

Which of the following statements about observational studies is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Observational studies can determine association between variables.

Question 9

A systematic sample is obtained by selecting every $$kth $$individual from the population. If the population size $$N = 2000$$ and the sample size $$n = 5$$, what is the value of $$k$$?

Accepted Answer

$$k = \frac{2000}{5} = 400$$

Question 10

Which of the following is a disadvantage of using a convenience sample?

Accepted Answer

It may not be representative of the population.

Question 11

In a cluster sample, which of the following is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

All individuals within selected clusters are included in the sample.

Question 12

Which of the following is an example of secondary data?

Accepted Answer

Using USDA crop price data published last year.

Question 13

If you measure the weight of a steer, what type of variable is this?

Accepted Answer

Continuous quantitative variable

Question 14

Which of the following best describes a frame in sampling?

Accepted Answer

A list of all individuals in the population.

Question 15

A consulting firm wants to survey 40 customers throughout a day but does not know the total number of customers. What is a potential problem with systematic sampling in this scenario?

Accepted Answer

The sample may be completed before all customers have visited.

Question 16

Which of the following is a correct formula for the sample mean $$\bar{x}$$ given $$n$$ observations $$x_1$$, $$x_2$$, ..., x_n$$?

Accepted Answer

$$\bar{x} = \frac{x_1$ + x_2$ + ... + x_n}{n}$$

Question 17

Which of the following is a lurking variable in an observational study investigating the relationship between smoking and lung cancer?

Accepted Answer

Diet and amount of exercise.

Question 18

Which sampling method is most appropriate when the population is naturally divided into groups and you want to sample all individuals within some randomly selected groups?

Accepted Answer

Cluster sampling

Question 19

If you want to ensure that your sample includes proportional representation from different subgroups in a university (e.g., students, faculty, staff), which sampling method should you use?

Accepted Answer

Stratified sampling

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT a step in the process of statistics?

Accepted Answer

Ignore uncertainty in conclusions.

Chapter 1: Data Collection – Structured Study Notes for Statistics

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards