Theory Exam With Actual Questions
And Well Defined Answers
What is one example of a sample from a research study? - Correct Answers A set of 100 randomly
collected bees from a hive
What is one example of an individual in an allergy treatment study? - Correct Answers A patient who is
part of the study
To determine customer product preferences, a clothing company uses a computer to fairly select 100 of
its customers to participate in an interview. What is the sampling method described in this situation? -
Correct Answers Simple random
What is the advantage of using simple random sampling? - Correct Answers It is the most
straightforward and effective way to produce data that is likely to be representative of the population.
What is one example of an experiment? - Correct Answers To measure the effect of light on attention
span, researchers recruit participants and randomly assign them to two rooms, one with artificial light
and the other with natural light.
What role does the researcher play in an experiment? - Correct Answers Manipulate variables and
observe the effects
What is an example of a control group? - Correct Answers In a study on a new plant fertilizer, those not
receiving the fertilizer
The director of campus food services at a university wants to study the food preferences of students on
campus. They place phone calls to 500 random students that span the grade levels. What is the sample
in this study? - Correct Answers Students called by the director
, What is one implication of using a representative sample? - Correct Answers The sample provides
reliable data that can be generalized to the larger population with confidence.
What is one situation that shows a sampling frame error? - Correct AnswersTo obtain information on
preferences on movies being shown at a small theater, the owner asked for input from all customers
that visited the theater on Monday or Tuesday of a given week.
Which example illustrates a perceived lack of anonymity? - Correct AnswersA coach hands out a survey
asking players to evaluate the quality of coaching and collects the survey from them on their way out of
practice.
When conducting a survey about the preference of print magazines over digital magazines, the research
firm calls a completely random list of 500 individuals, with 23 people answering the call. What is the
type of bias illustrated in this situation? - Correct AnswersNon-response bias
A retailer hands out hundreds of customer satisfaction surveys on pre-paid postcards, and by the
deadline 26 people had mailed the survey in. What is illustrated in this scenario? - Correct AnswersA
retailer hands out hundreds of customer satisfaction surveys on pre-paid postcards, and by the deadline
26 people had mailed the survey in. What is illustrated in this scenario?
What is one situation that shows a perceived lack of anonymity? - Correct AnswersThe president of a
marketing firm emails a survey to senior executives on how well the company is being led, and they are
asked to send it back to the president's administrative assistant.
A scientist is designing an experiment to test a hypothesis. Which practice should be avoided to ensure
that data is not misleading? - Correct AnswersChanging measuring instruments without reporting it
A retail store owner analyzed sales data to determine that soccer ball sales and t-shirt sales increase and
decrease together. The store owner knows that people who play soccer wear t-shirts, so they conclude
that increased t-shirt sales are caused when people buy more soccer balls. Is this a valid conclusion? -
Correct AnswersNo, because a confounding variable is a possible cause.
A researcher collected data on 2,000 college students, finding that students who regularly consume
caffeine are 20% more likely to have a GPA over 3.0. What is the valid conclusion, based on the study? -
Correct AnswersThere is an association between the variables, but causation cannot be determined.