Understanding Statistics Basics
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Questions and Answers

What is statistics?

Statistics is the science of conducting studies to collect, organize, summarize, analyze, and draw conclusions from data.

Why are statistics important in our everyday lives?

To analyze the results of surveys to understand the terms and concepts.

A ____________ is a characteristic or attribute of a subject that can assume different values.

variable

What are variables with values that are determined by chance called?

<p>Random variables</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is each value in a data set referred to as?

<p>Datum</p> Signup and view all the answers

If a weather center monitors tornadoes, what type of variable are they investigating?

<p>Random variable</p> Signup and view all the answers

Inferential statistics is based on probability.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is a sample described in relation to a population?

<p>A sample is a group of subjects selected from a population to be studied.</p> Signup and view all the answers

A ____________ consists of all subjects that are being studied.

<p>population</p> Signup and view all the answers

__________ is a decision-making process for evaluating claims about a population based on information obtained from samples.

<p>Hypothesis testing</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which branch of statistics employs probability to predict driving distance?

<p>Inferential statistics</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which type of statistics would you study twenty-five cars until mechanical failure?

<p>Descriptive statistics</p> Signup and view all the answers

Based on her electric bills, Miss Smith's expectation of $75 a month is an example of descriptive statistics.

<p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

A ____________ variable assumes values that can be counted.

<p>discrete</p> Signup and view all the answers

Quantitative data can be further classified as continuous or nonsequential.

<p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

What level of measurement is applied for surveying average American shoe sizes?

<p>Interval level of measurement</p> Signup and view all the answers

What level of measurement classifies data into mutually exclusive categories?

<p>Nominal</p> Signup and view all the answers

What level of measurement allows for ranking and has a true zero?

<p>Ratio</p> Signup and view all the answers

Classifying fruits as apple, orange, or banana is an example of the ____________ level of measurement.

<p>nominal</p> Signup and view all the answers

Rating a restaurant with stars is an example of ordinal level of measurement.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

The ____________ level of measurement classifies data into categories that can be ranked.

<p>ordinal</p> Signup and view all the answers

Determining the number of voters from Alaska for a Republican is an example of ____________ measurement.

<p>ratio</p> Signup and view all the answers

A person's hair color is an example of a quantitative variable.

<p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

The variable of height is an example of a quantitative variable.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

The number of birds in a tree is an example of a continuous variable.

<p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of variable does the time needed to run a marathon represent?

<p>Continuous</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes quantitative data: The mass of a chemical sample?

<p>B. The mass of a chemical sample</p> Signup and view all the answers

Determine which of the following describes quantitative data. (Select all that apply)

<p>The number of objects that are blue</p> Signup and view all the answers

Determine which of the following describes qualitative data. (Select all that apply)

<p>The shape of the container</p> Signup and view all the answers

Determine which of the following describes nominal data. (Select all that apply)

<p>My favorite days of the week are Friday, Saturday, and Tuesday</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which one of the following data are discrete? (Select all that apply)

<p>The preseason ranking of Duke University's men's basketball team</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which one of the following data are continuous? (Select all that apply)

<p>The average height of a sample of trees</p> Signup and view all the answers

The four basic methods used to obtain samples are random, irregular, cluster, and stratified sampling.

<p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

In a research study, it is always preferable for the researcher to carefully choose participants rather than randomly select them.

<p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

____________ sampling is used when the population is large and spans a large geographic area.

<p>Cluster</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of sampling is used when samples are chosen from each economic class?

<p>Stratified sampling</p> Signup and view all the answers

Questioning every 14th customer leaving a theater is an example of systematic sampling.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

What sample type should you always regard as unreliable?

<p>Voluntary response samples</p> Signup and view all the answers

What kind of sampling is used when a pollster samples different political affiliations?

<p>Stratified sample</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of sample is used when a student surveys adults at a function?

<p>Sample of convenience</p> Signup and view all the answers

By visiting homes door to door, what type of sample is being used?

<p>Cluster sample</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of sample is used when testing every 1000th cell phone?

<p>Systematic sample</p> Signup and view all the answers

The professor selects random slips from a jar of students; what kind of sample is used?

<p>Simple random sample</p> Signup and view all the answers

An independent variable can also be called?

<p>Explanatory variable</p> Signup and view all the answers

A dependent variable can also be referred to as an outcome variable.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

The group that is manipulated in an experimental study can be called the treatment group.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

If a researcher manipulates one variable to see its influence on others, what type of study are they conducting?

<p>Experimental study</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the relationship between confounding, dependent, and independent variables.

<p>The confounding variable influences the dependent variable but is not separated from the independent variable.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In a true experimental study, what must be done with subjects?

<p>Assigned to groups randomly</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one advantage of an observational study?

<p>It occurs in a natural setting without intervention by the researcher.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In an experimental study, what variable is studied to see if it leads to changes?

<p>Independent variable, dependent variable</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do you best describe a randomized experiment?

<p>An experiment in which the treatments are assigned randomly to experimental units.</p> Signup and view all the answers

If there are large differences in outcomes among treatment groups, what can be concluded?

<p>The differences are due to the treatments.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a double-blind experiment?

<p>An experiment in which neither the investigators nor the subjects know how the treatments have been assigned.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What involves randomly assigning treatments after categorizing subjects by sex?

<p>Randomized blocking</p> Signup and view all the answers

What makes it difficult to determine if an experimental outcome is due to treatment?

<p>Confounder</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of changing the subject in data reporting?

<p>A magazine reviews a new car and states it could be twice as much fun to drive.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of detached statistics?

<p>An advertisement for a pickup truck states it is 30% more powerful.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of suspect samples?

<p>A television station interviews five movie viewers and claims the movie will be a hit.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In a car advertisement, what is an example of detached statistics?

<p>A professional driver is shown on a closed course.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Statistics Overview

  • Statistics is the science of collecting, organizing, summarizing, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data.
  • Understanding statistics is essential for interpreting survey results and avoiding misrepresentation.

Variables

  • A variable is a characteristic or attribute that can assume different values.
  • Random variables have values determined by chance, while discrete variables are counted values.

Types of Statistics

  • Inferential statistics involves making predictions or conclusions based on sample data and probability.
  • Descriptive statistics summarize and describe characteristics of a data set.

Samples and Populations

  • A sample is a subset of subjects selected from a larger group (population).
  • Population includes all subjects being studied.

Measurement Levels

  • Ratio level of measurement allows ranking, precise differences, and includes a true zero.
  • Interval measurement classifies data with meaningful differences but no true zero.
  • Ordinal measurement ranks data without precise differences between ranks.
  • Nominal measurement classifies data into categories without ranking.

Data Classification

  • Quantitative data can be continuous or discrete; qualitative data includes categories that do not represent numbers.
  • Height is a quantitative variable, while hair color is qualitative.

Sampling Methods

  • Common sampling methods include random, stratified, and cluster sampling.
  • Systematic sampling selects subjects at regular intervals from a larger group.
  • Convenience samples are considered unreliable due to a biased selection process.

Experimental Studies

  • In experimental studies, an independent variable is manipulated to observe effects on a dependent variable.
  • Control for confounding variables is crucial, as they may influence results without being explicitly separated from independent variables.
  • Randomization helps ensure treatment groups are comparable.

Confounding Variables and Study Design

  • A confounding variable affects the dependent variable but is intertwined with the independent variable.
  • Quasi-experimental studies utilize intact groups when random assignment is not feasible.

Experiment Types

  • Randomized experiments randomly assign treatments to experimental units to draw valid conclusions about treatment effects.
  • Double-blind experiments keep investigators and subjects unaware of treatment assignments to reduce bias.

Data Misuse

  • Statistical data can be misrepresented through suspect samples, detached statistics, or misleading conclusions.
  • Detached statistics are data presented without context, which can mislead interpretation.

Conclusion

  • A strong understanding of statistics aids critical thinking, enhances interpretation of data, and supports informed decision-making.

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Description

This quiz delves into the fundamentals of statistics, covering key definitions and concepts. Gain insights into how statistics play a crucial role in analyzing data and making informed decisions in everyday life.

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