Question 1

Which of the following best describes the difference between a parameter and a statistic?

Accepted Answer

A parameter is a numerical measurement describing a characteristic of a population, while a statistic describes a characteristic of a sample.

Question 2

A researcher wants to study the effect of a new drug on blood pressure. She randomly assigns subjects to either receive the drug or a placebo. What type of study is this?

Accepted Answer

Experiment

Question 3

Which sampling method involves dividing the population into subgroups based on shared characteristics and then randomly sampling from each subgroup?

Accepted Answer

Stratified sampling

Question 4

In a survey, respondents are asked to mail in their answers. What is the main concern with this sampling method?

Accepted Answer

It is likely to produce a voluntary response sample, which can be biased.

Question 5

Which level of measurement allows for meaningful ratios and has a true zero point?

Accepted Answer

Ratio

Question 6

A study collects data on the number of times a coin is tossed before getting tails. What type of data is this?

Accepted Answer

Discrete quantitative data

Question 7

Which of the following is an example of an interval level of measurement?

Accepted Answer

Years 1000, 2000, 1776, and 1492

Question 8

A researcher deletes all subjects with missing values from her dataset. What is this method called?

Accepted Answer

Delete cases

Question 9

Which of the following best describes a double-blind experiment?

Accepted Answer

Neither the subjects nor the experimenters know who receives the treatment or placebo.

Question 10

In the context of statistical significance, which statement is correct?

Accepted Answer

Statistical significance is achieved if the likelihood of an event occurring by chance is 5% or less.

Question 11

A study observes and measures characteristics without attempting to modify the individuals being studied. What type of study is this?

Accepted Answer

Observational study

Question 12

Which sampling method selects every kth element in the population after a random starting point?

Accepted Answer

Systematic sampling

Question 13

A study collects data from a past time period by examining records. What type of observational study is this?

Accepted Answer

Retrospective (case-control) study

Question 14

Which of the following is a potential pitfall in analyzing data?

Accepted Answer

Loaded questions in surveys

Question 15

A researcher wants to compare two treatment groups using subjects matched in pairs that are related or have similar characteristics. What design is this?

Accepted Answer

Matched pairs design

Question 16

Which of the following is an example of categorical (qualitative) data?

Accepted Answer

Gender (male/female) of professional athletes

Question 17

What is the main advantage of using a simple random sample?

Accepted Answer

It ensures every possible sample of the same size has the same chance of being chosen.

Question 18

Which of the following best describes confounding in an experiment?

Accepted Answer

It occurs when we cannot identify the specific factor that caused an observed effect.

Question 19

A study collects data from groups sharing common factors and follows them into the future. What type of study is this?

Accepted Answer

Prospective (cohort) study

Question 20

Which of the following is a nonsampling error?

Accepted Answer

Wrong data entries or biased wording in questions

Chapter 1: Introduction to Statistics – Structured Study Notes

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards