Question 1

Which of the following best describes the difference between a population and a sample in statistics?

Accepted Answer

A population is the entire group you want to learn about, while a sample is the smaller group you actually collect data from.

Question 2

In the context of the image, what does the magnifying glass represent?

Accepted Answer

The process of selecting a sample from the population for study.

Question 3

Why do statisticians often use samples instead of surveying entire populations?

Accepted Answer

Because populations are usually too large, time-consuming, or expensive to measure completely.

Question 4

Suppose you want to estimate the average height of all students at a university. You measure the heights of 100 randomly selected students. In this scenario, what is the population?

Accepted Answer

All students at the university.

Question 5

Which of the following statements is true about parameters and statistics?

Accepted Answer

A statistic describes a sample, while a parameter describes a population.

Question 6

Given the following scenario: A researcher wants to know the average number of hours college students sleep per night. She surveys 200 students from her university. Which of the following best describes the sample?

Accepted Answer

The 200 students surveyed at her university.

Question 7

If $$N$$ represents the size of the population and $$n$$ represents the size of the sample, which equation correctly relates these quantities?

Accepted Answer

$$n \u003c N$$

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

The color of a student's backpack.

Question 9

A single test score from a student is called a ________, while the collection of all test scores from a class is called ________.

Accepted Answer

datum; data

Question 10

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of 'in context' when reporting a statistical result?

Accepted Answer

The mean number of hours of sleep for the sample of seniors is 7.5 hours.

Question 11

Which of the following is a discrete quantitative variable?

Accepted Answer

The number of cars a family owns.

Question 12

Which of the following is a continuous quantitative variable?

Accepted Answer

The amount of milk in a glass (in liters).

Question 13

A school surveys 75 students and finds they spend an average of 96 minutes on homework each night. What is the statistic in this scenario?

Accepted Answer

The average of 96 minutes from the 75 students surveyed.

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a reason to use a sample instead of a population?

Accepted Answer

Samples always give the exact value of the parameter.

Question 15

Which of the following is the best example of a strong investigative question?

Accepted Answer

What is the average number of hours per week that 10th grade students at Central High School spend studying?

Question 16

If a researcher collects data on the number of siblings each student has, what type of variable is this?

Accepted Answer

Discrete quantitative

Question 17

Which of the following is an observational unit in a study measuring test scores of students?

Accepted Answer

Each student

Question 18

A researcher wants to know the average commute time for all employees at a company. She surveys 30 employees and finds an average commute time of 25 minutes. What is the parameter in this scenario?

Accepted Answer

The average commute time for all employees at the company.

Question 19

Which of the following is a number that could be considered a categorical variable?

Accepted Answer

Student ID number

Question 20

If age is measured as '16, 17, 18, ...' in a survey, how is it typically treated?

Accepted Answer

As a discrete variable

Exploring One-Variable Data & Collecting Data: Foundations of Statistics

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