Statistics Confidence Intervals Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is a key characteristic of confidence intervals regarding population parameters?

They provide a range of plausible values for the population parameter. (correct)

They are statements about sample statistics, not population parameters.

They provide probabilities about individual observations within the population.

They are always based on biased estimators to be reliable.

If a confidence interval is calculated using a sample, what does it primarily estimate?

The likely values of the standard deviation of the population.

The range within which the true population parameter is likely to be found. (correct)

The probability of observing the same sample statistic in another sample.

The range within which the sample mean will fall if the study is repeated.

The reliability of a confidence interval depends on what property of the sample statistic used to construct it?

Whether the sample size is sufficiently large

Whether the statistic is a mean, median, or mode.

Whether it is a biased or unbiased estimator of the population parameter. (correct)

Whether is produces a distribution that is normal in shape.

In the construction of an approximate 95% confidence interval, the calculation involves 'point estimate ± 2 x SE'. What does 'SE' represent?

Standard error Signup and view all the answers

A study finds a sample mean of 3.2 and a standard error of 0.25. Using the approximate 95% confidence interval, what is the range?

(2.7, 3.7) Signup and view all the answers

Given a calculated 95% confidence interval for a population mean, what statement about the true population mean is most accurate?

We are 95% confident that the calculated interval contains a true population mean Signup and view all the answers

If a researcher increases the sample size used to calculate a confidence interval, what is the most likely outcome regarding the width of the interval?

The interval will become narrower. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean if a confidence interval is described as being based on an 'unbiased estimator'?

The estimator, on average, correctly estimates the population parameter Signup and view all the answers

A researcher calculates a confidence interval, but realizes that their sample wasn't randomly selected. How should they interpret the resulting confidence interval?

The confidence interval may not accurately represent the population because of sampling bias. Signup and view all the answers

If a 95% confidence interval for the average number of relationships is calculated as (2.7, 3.7), what does this imply?

We are 95% confident that the true average number of relationships lies between 2.7 and 3.7 in the population. Signup and view all the answers

Given a confidence interval of 64% to 67% regarding American Facebook users' perceived accuracy of Facebook's interest categorization, which of the following is the MOST accurate interpretation?

We are 95% confident that the interval from 64% to 67% captures the true proportion of all American Facebook users who think Facebook categorizes their interests accurately. Signup and view all the answers

What does a 95% confidence level mean in the context of repeated sampling and confidence interval construction?

If we repeatedly draw samples and calculate confidence intervals, approximately 95% of those intervals would contain the true population parameter. Signup and view all the answers

How does increasing the confidence level affect the width of a confidence interval, and why?

It makes the interval wider, because we increase the range of plausible values to provide more certainty that the parameter is in within it. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary drawback of using an extremely wide confidence interval?

The interval becomes less precise and less informative, providing very broad and potentially unhelpful insights. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of confidence intervals, what is the 'margin of error'?

The quantity <code>z★ × SE</code> that determines the width of the confidence interval around the point estimate. Signup and view all the answers

How is the critical Z-score (`z★`) adjusted when calculating a confidence interval with a different confidence level?

The <code>z★</code> is adjusted using a different value based on the probability of the distribution's tails to achieve the desired confidence level. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following z-scores, denoted as `z★`, is appropriate for calculating a 98% confidence interval?

2.33 Signup and view all the answers

If a study aims for a higher level of confidence, how will the critical value `z★` be affected?

<code>z★</code> will increase, causing the confidence interval to widen. Signup and view all the answers

Why are confidence intervals useful in statistical analysis?

They provide a range of plausible values for the population parameter, indicating the uncertainty associated with the estimate. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements BEST describes the nature of confidence intervals?

Confidence intervals are random ranges that aim to capture the population parameter with a certain level of confidence. Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of increasing the confidence level on the width of a confidence interval?

It becomes wider to capture the population parameter. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential drawback of using a wider confidence interval?

It may not provide valuable information. Signup and view all the answers

Which Z score is commonly used for a 95% confidence interval?

Z = 1.96 Signup and view all the answers

When calculating a 98% confidence interval, which of the following Z scores is the appropriate z*?

Z = 2.33 Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used for the part of the confidence interval calculation that accounts for variability in the sample?

Margin of error Signup and view all the answers

What does a confidence interval represent in the context of estimating a population parameter?

A plausible range of values for the population parameter. Signup and view all the answers

In the provided analogy, what is using a sample statistic to estimate a parameter compared to?

Fishing with a spear. Signup and view all the answers

Why is a confidence interval considered a better approach than a point estimate when estimating a population parameter?

A confidence interval provides a range of plausible values. Signup and view all the answers

In the Pew Research study, what was the percentage of American Facebook users who felt that the categories listed by Facebook accurately represented them?

67% Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the data collected by websites like social media platforms, news outlets, and online retailers?

To deliver targeted content, recommendations, and ads. Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate range of the 95% confidence interval for the proportion of American Facebook users who felt categorized accurately, as described in the study?

64% to 70% Signup and view all the answers

What is implied when we say we are '95% confident' in the context of a confidence interval?

If we took many samples, 95% of the confidence intervals would contain the true population parameter. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about the confidence interval from the Facebook study is not accurate?

The interval implies there is a 95% chance the population parameter lies within this range. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately reflects the interpretation of a 95% confidence interval regarding the average number of exclusive relationships for college students?

College students on average have been in between 2.7 and 3.7 exclusive relationships. Signup and view all the answers

What does a wider confidence interval imply about the confidence level of the estimate?

It implies a higher confidence level. Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is NOT required when calculating a confidence interval using a sample mean?

The population should be normally distributed. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of confidence intervals, what does the point estimate represent?

The average of the sample data. Signup and view all the answers

When constructing a confidence interval, what does the term 'z*' refer to?

The critical value associated with the desired confidence level. Signup and view all the answers

If 24 out of 25 confidence intervals from repeated sampling contain the true population mean, what confidence level does this suggest?

95% confidence level. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor does NOT directly influence the width of a confidence interval?

The sample mean's value. Signup and view all the answers

What assumption is made about the sample when conducting a confidence interval analysis?

The sample is a random selection from the population. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a reason to increase the sample size when estimating a population parameter?

To reduce the margin of error. Signup and view all the answers

After conducting a sampling, what might prevent the 95% confidence interval from accurately capturing the true population mean?

Observations not being independent. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Confidence Intervals for a Proportion

A confidence interval is a plausible range of values for a population parameter, estimated from a sample statistic.
Estimating a parameter using only a sample statistic is like fishing with a spear in a murky lake.
Using a confidence interval is like fishing with a net. A net increases the chance of catching the fish (parameter).
A point estimate (single value) is less likely to hit the exact population parameter than a range of plausible values (confidence interval).

Facebook's Categorization of User Interests

Commercial websites collect user data (behaviour, use) to deliver targeted content.
Pew Research surveyed 850 American Facebook users.
67% of respondents felt the listed categories accurately represented them.
The approximate 95% confidence interval for the true proportion of American Facebook users who think their interests are categorized accurately is (0.64, 0.70).

What Does 95% Confidence Mean?

Repeated sampling and confidence interval construction would show that approximately 95% of the intervals would contain the true population proportion.

Width of an Interval

A wider interval is more likely to capture the population parameter, increasing confidence level.
Wider intervals may have lower informativeness.
Increasing confidence level increases interval width.

Changing the Confidence Level

The margin of error (z* × SE) changes with confidence level changes.
Adjusting z* in the formula changes the confidence level.
Common confidence levels are 90%, 95%, 98%, and 99%.
Z* value for a 95% confidence interval is 1.96.
Standard normal (z) distribution allows calculation of z* for any confidence level.

Average Number of Exclusive Relationships

A random sample of 50 college students was surveyed about the number of exclusive relationships they have experienced.
The mean = 3.2 and standard deviation = 1.74.
Standard Error (SE) = s/√n = 1.74/√50 ≈ 0.25.
Approximate 95% confidence interval = point estimate ± 2 × SE = 3.2 ± 2 × 0.25 = (2.7, 3.7).

Interpreting Confidence Intervals

Confidence intervals pertain to the population, not individual observations.
They represent a plausible range for population parameters.
They are based on unbiased estimators of those parameters.
Confidence statements aren't probability statements about individual observations.

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Description

Test your understanding of confidence intervals in statistics! This quiz covers key concepts such as estimation, reliability, and the effects of sample size on confidence intervals. Challenge yourself with various questions about the calculations and interpretations involved in confidence intervals.