CNSL 503 Final Exam
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_gb1zqn
1. True of False: Statistics is used to prove claims.: False
2. What are Variables?: Variables are measurable characteristics that can vary in
value.
My answer: Variables are different types of data in an experiment (used to classify
the type of data being collected)
3. What type of scale is used when labeling or using categories?: This would be
qualitative data and the SCALE would be nominal! Ex: blood type, college majors,
room numbers
4. True or false: it is generally feasible to collect data from every member of a
population: FALSE! unless the target of a particular research study is comprised
of a small population, it is usually not practical or sensible to attempt to reach every
member within a population
5. Which of the following are examples of ordinal variables? Select all that
apply.
- Shirt sizes
- college major
- places in a marathon (1st, 2nd, 3rd)
- Temperature: -shirt sizes, places in a marathon Explanation: ordinal is used for
qualitative variables and includes ranking in size or measure (does not indicate how
much the data differ)
6. When a variable can contain negative values, what type of scale is most ap-
propriate? Why?: An interval scale because variables containing negative values
do not have an absolute zero. Note: this is quantitative data
7. When is it most appropriate to use a ratio scale?: A ratio scale is used when
a variable has an absolute zero (Ex: height, weight, exam scores, GPA)
Note: this is quantitative data
8. True or false: statistics are used to communicate results but can be used to
mislead individuals: TRUE!
9. Provide an example of quantitative variable and an example of a qualitative
variable: Quantitative Ex: test scores, reaction time, error number, vital signs, tem-
perature
Qualitative Ex: sex, college major, eye color, blood type, shirt size
10. How are sample and population related?: A population includes every mem-
ber within a particular group, whereas a sample is a smaller subset of the given
population (used to represent the whole population)
, CNSL 503 Final Exam
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_gb1zqn
11. True or false: discrete variables are counted as whole numbers: TRUE!
discrete variables are quantitative variables that can be organized into separate
categories or counted using whole numbers. Ex: number of patients in a hospital,
pets in a home
12. _________ statistics involves analyses that provide a way to summa-
rize and describe data, whereas _________ statistics are performed for re-
searchers to make inferences and generalizations about populations based
on sample data.: Answer: descriptive; inferential Explanation: descriptive statistics
involve calcluations like mean, median, mode, standard deviation, variance, and
range. Inferential statistics involve calculations such as those use for hypothesis
testing (z-scorem, t-test, ANOVA, correctional analyses).
13. Which of the following is NOT involved in the process of sampling?
- identify goals
- collect data
- make conclusions
- obtain resources: Answer: obtain resources Explanation: the steps are identify
goals, gather sample, make inferences/conclusions
14. A movie theater is interested in how movie-goers would rate the current
movies being shown. They survey a group of 100 movie-goers and ask each
to rate the movie they saw on a scale of 1-5 (1 = terrible, 5 = excellent). The
surveyors then calculate the average rating of each movie. This is an example
of what kind of statistic?
- descriptive statistics
- sample statistics
- parametric statistics
- inferential statistics: descriptive statistic because average rating of movie is a
calculation used to summarize / describe
15. Which of the following is a discrete variable? Select all that apply.
- Number of pets per household
- distance
- number of patients at a hospital
- exam scores: number of pets per household, number of patients at a hospital
because discrete variables can ONLY be counted as whole numbers!
16. Name a continuous variable. Why is it considered continuous?: Ex: weight,
temperature, time, length, and speed.
continuous variables are variables that can be broken down into smaller, fractional
components (decimals, fractions, etc). It does NOT have to be a whole number
, CNSL 503 Final Exam
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_gb1zqn
17. Which of the following fields do NOT use statistics?
- politics
- sports
- entertainment
- medicine
- none of these fields use statistics
- all of these fields use statistics: all of these fields use statistics
18. Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding populations?
- it is expected that every member of a population will agree to participate in
a study.
- studying every member of a population is how most behavioral and clinical
studies are conducted
- it is only practical to reach all members of small populations
- only one method is used to gather samples from populations: it is only
practical to reach all members of small populations
19. A team of clinical researchers is studying stress levels of a sample of
15 paramedics undergoing a new training program at a local hospital. The
researchers stage two hypothetical medical emergencies for the paramedics:
one low stakes and one high stakes. Then they measure their cortisol levels.
The scenarios are administered at the same time every day, but the location
changes based on the scenario being presented. In this experiment - identify
the independent, dependent, control, and extraneous variables.: Independent:
emergency situations (scenario)
Dependent: cortisol levels
Control: time of day
Extraneous variables: location
Note: Extraneous variables are any variable not being investigated that has the po-
tential to affect the outcome of a research study. Control variable is an experimental
element which is constant (controlled) and unchanged throughout!
20. Why is the field of statistics important?: it allows data to be described and
communicated succinctly and concisely. Statistics allow inferences to be drawn
about data, particularly when it is not feasible to collect information from all members
of a certain group. Statistics equip us with the necessary tools needed to critically
evaluate information.
My answer: statistics gives people a guide in a world where there is so much
information - news, advertisements, products, etc. This gives people a way of sorting
through data, organizing numbers, and making everyday decisions.
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_gb1zqn
1. True of False: Statistics is used to prove claims.: False
2. What are Variables?: Variables are measurable characteristics that can vary in
value.
My answer: Variables are different types of data in an experiment (used to classify
the type of data being collected)
3. What type of scale is used when labeling or using categories?: This would be
qualitative data and the SCALE would be nominal! Ex: blood type, college majors,
room numbers
4. True or false: it is generally feasible to collect data from every member of a
population: FALSE! unless the target of a particular research study is comprised
of a small population, it is usually not practical or sensible to attempt to reach every
member within a population
5. Which of the following are examples of ordinal variables? Select all that
apply.
- Shirt sizes
- college major
- places in a marathon (1st, 2nd, 3rd)
- Temperature: -shirt sizes, places in a marathon Explanation: ordinal is used for
qualitative variables and includes ranking in size or measure (does not indicate how
much the data differ)
6. When a variable can contain negative values, what type of scale is most ap-
propriate? Why?: An interval scale because variables containing negative values
do not have an absolute zero. Note: this is quantitative data
7. When is it most appropriate to use a ratio scale?: A ratio scale is used when
a variable has an absolute zero (Ex: height, weight, exam scores, GPA)
Note: this is quantitative data
8. True or false: statistics are used to communicate results but can be used to
mislead individuals: TRUE!
9. Provide an example of quantitative variable and an example of a qualitative
variable: Quantitative Ex: test scores, reaction time, error number, vital signs, tem-
perature
Qualitative Ex: sex, college major, eye color, blood type, shirt size
10. How are sample and population related?: A population includes every mem-
ber within a particular group, whereas a sample is a smaller subset of the given
population (used to represent the whole population)
, CNSL 503 Final Exam
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_gb1zqn
11. True or false: discrete variables are counted as whole numbers: TRUE!
discrete variables are quantitative variables that can be organized into separate
categories or counted using whole numbers. Ex: number of patients in a hospital,
pets in a home
12. _________ statistics involves analyses that provide a way to summa-
rize and describe data, whereas _________ statistics are performed for re-
searchers to make inferences and generalizations about populations based
on sample data.: Answer: descriptive; inferential Explanation: descriptive statistics
involve calcluations like mean, median, mode, standard deviation, variance, and
range. Inferential statistics involve calculations such as those use for hypothesis
testing (z-scorem, t-test, ANOVA, correctional analyses).
13. Which of the following is NOT involved in the process of sampling?
- identify goals
- collect data
- make conclusions
- obtain resources: Answer: obtain resources Explanation: the steps are identify
goals, gather sample, make inferences/conclusions
14. A movie theater is interested in how movie-goers would rate the current
movies being shown. They survey a group of 100 movie-goers and ask each
to rate the movie they saw on a scale of 1-5 (1 = terrible, 5 = excellent). The
surveyors then calculate the average rating of each movie. This is an example
of what kind of statistic?
- descriptive statistics
- sample statistics
- parametric statistics
- inferential statistics: descriptive statistic because average rating of movie is a
calculation used to summarize / describe
15. Which of the following is a discrete variable? Select all that apply.
- Number of pets per household
- distance
- number of patients at a hospital
- exam scores: number of pets per household, number of patients at a hospital
because discrete variables can ONLY be counted as whole numbers!
16. Name a continuous variable. Why is it considered continuous?: Ex: weight,
temperature, time, length, and speed.
continuous variables are variables that can be broken down into smaller, fractional
components (decimals, fractions, etc). It does NOT have to be a whole number
, CNSL 503 Final Exam
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_gb1zqn
17. Which of the following fields do NOT use statistics?
- politics
- sports
- entertainment
- medicine
- none of these fields use statistics
- all of these fields use statistics: all of these fields use statistics
18. Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding populations?
- it is expected that every member of a population will agree to participate in
a study.
- studying every member of a population is how most behavioral and clinical
studies are conducted
- it is only practical to reach all members of small populations
- only one method is used to gather samples from populations: it is only
practical to reach all members of small populations
19. A team of clinical researchers is studying stress levels of a sample of
15 paramedics undergoing a new training program at a local hospital. The
researchers stage two hypothetical medical emergencies for the paramedics:
one low stakes and one high stakes. Then they measure their cortisol levels.
The scenarios are administered at the same time every day, but the location
changes based on the scenario being presented. In this experiment - identify
the independent, dependent, control, and extraneous variables.: Independent:
emergency situations (scenario)
Dependent: cortisol levels
Control: time of day
Extraneous variables: location
Note: Extraneous variables are any variable not being investigated that has the po-
tential to affect the outcome of a research study. Control variable is an experimental
element which is constant (controlled) and unchanged throughout!
20. Why is the field of statistics important?: it allows data to be described and
communicated succinctly and concisely. Statistics allow inferences to be drawn
about data, particularly when it is not feasible to collect information from all members
of a certain group. Statistics equip us with the necessary tools needed to critically
evaluate information.
My answer: statistics gives people a guide in a world where there is so much
information - news, advertisements, products, etc. This gives people a way of sorting
through data, organizing numbers, and making everyday decisions.
