Correlation versus Causation Quiz

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What does the 'correlation coefficient' signify?

The average value of the data points

The spread of data points across different variables

How data points are plotted on a graph

The closeness of data points to a straight line (correct)

What range of values can the correlation coefficient 'r' take?

-10 to 10

-1.0 to +1.0 (correct)

0 to 10

-∞ to +∞

What does a correlation coefficient of +1.0 imply?

Negative correlation

No correlation

Perfect correlation (correct)

Inverse correlation

How is a correlation coefficient of -1.0 interpreted?

Perfect inverse correlation Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean when the correlation coefficient 'r' is 0?

No relationship between the variables Signup and view all the answers

How might data uncertainties affect the correlation coefficient 'r'?

Prevent reaching exact values of 1 or -1 Signup and view all the answers

Why is it rare to find an 'r' value of 0.00 in real data?

'r' is never precisely 0 due to experimental limitations Signup and view all the answers

'Uncorrelated' data means that:

'r' is close to 0 Signup and view all the answers

'Perfect inverse correlation' means that:

'r' is precisely -1.0 Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the spread of a set of measurements in a Gaussian distribution?

Standard deviation Signup and view all the answers

What does the symbol µ represent in a Gaussian distribution?

Mean Signup and view all the answers

What does sigma (σ) represent in a Gaussian distribution?

Standard deviation Signup and view all the answers

What improves when many measurements are taken and summed in terms of accuracy?

Mean value Signup and view all the answers

Which value tends to average out if many measurements are summed?

Mean value Signup and view all the answers

What does the average value of multiple estimates provide a better approximation of?

True value Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of random errors in measurements?

They produce answers too long and too short with approximately equal frequency Signup and view all the answers

Why is it necessary to quote a measurement result plus or minus an error?

To account for both random and systematic errors Signup and view all the answers

What does the ± sign represent when quoting a result plus or minus an error?

The range of values accounting for random errors Signup and view all the answers

How is a scientific measurement typically qualified?

By quoting the result with uncertainty or error Signup and view all the answers

Why can't the ± sign for random error imply the exact range where the true measurement lies?

Because random errors are unpredictable Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of quoting consecutive random and systematic errors in a measurement result?

To emphasize that both types of errors are present Signup and view all the answers

What did the news story about the Son of Sam case provide supporting evidence for?

The effect of lunar phases on behavior Signup and view all the answers

What is the author's main objection to the daughter's belief about the full moon and behavior?

The daughter's claim lacked statistical support Signup and view all the answers

What was the daughter's reaction to the author's statement against the belief in lunar effects?

She dismissed the author's statement Signup and view all the answers

What term was introduced into our language by the Son of Sam case?

Serial killer Signup and view all the answers

In what year was the Son of Sam captured, leading to a personal anecdote by the author?

1977 Signup and view all the answers

What is the main concern expressed by the author regarding the daughter's skepticism towards statistical evidence?

'Proving anything with statistics' mentality Signup and view all the answers

What is the expected average time between the new moon date and the full moon date if they were distributed independently?

7.38 days Signup and view all the answers

If dates are randomly distributed between the new moon date and the full moon date, where would we expect the average random date to fall?

Midway between the new moon date and the full moon date Signup and view all the answers

What does the average or mean of a set of values represent?

The sum of the values divided by the number of values Signup and view all the answers

In a uniform distribution between 0 and 14.76, where is the mean value located?

At 1/2 of the distribution Signup and view all the answers

What does it signify if the true value is closer to the expected value with no relationship than to smaller asserted values?

There is no correlation Signup and view all the answers

According to statistical reasoning in good science, what role does adjudication between competing theories play?

It is a vital tool for distinguishing between competing theories Signup and view all the answers

What does the Poisson distribution tell us about in each one-minute interval?

The probability of getting zero, one, and two counts Signup and view all the answers

When does the text suggest favoring the younger age?

When there is a 1 in 500 chance of zero counts in a single minute Signup and view all the answers

In what situations do we use the Poisson distribution according to the text?

When expected events are relatively rare and their average occurrence rate is well-known Signup and view all the answers

Why is the Gaussian distribution considered useful?

In cases where our sample size is large Signup and view all the answers

How do probability distributions help us in experiments or observations?

By dispassionately assessing the experiment or observation results Signup and view all the answers

What are the Poisson and Gaussian distributions as per the text?

Special cases of the binomial distribution Signup and view all the answers