1. True or 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
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
appropriate? 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, temperature.
Qualitative Ex: sex, college major, eye color, blood type, shirt size.
10. How are sample and population related?
A population includes every member within a particular group, whereas a sample
is a smaller subset of the given population (used to represent the whole
population).
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 summarize and
describe data, whereas _________ statistics are performed for researchers to make
inferences and generalizations about populations based on sample data.
Descriptive; inferential
Explanation: descriptive statistics involve calculations like mean, median, mode,
standard deviation, variance, and range. Inferential statistics involve calculations
such as those use for hypothesis testing (z-score, 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
,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
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
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.
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
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
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
potential 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.
21. When the frequency for every value in a dataset is presented, a __________ is
formed:
- frequency diffusion
- frequency distribution
- frequency dispersion
- frequency dispersal
22. A range of scores can be grouped in sets called ____________.
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
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
appropriate? 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, temperature.
Qualitative Ex: sex, college major, eye color, blood type, shirt size.
10. How are sample and population related?
A population includes every member within a particular group, whereas a sample
is a smaller subset of the given population (used to represent the whole
population).
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 summarize and
describe data, whereas _________ statistics are performed for researchers to make
inferences and generalizations about populations based on sample data.
Descriptive; inferential
Explanation: descriptive statistics involve calculations like mean, median, mode,
standard deviation, variance, and range. Inferential statistics involve calculations
such as those use for hypothesis testing (z-score, 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
,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
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
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.
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
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
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
potential 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.
21. When the frequency for every value in a dataset is presented, a __________ is
formed:
- frequency diffusion
- frequency distribution
- frequency dispersion
- frequency dispersal
22. A range of scores can be grouped in sets called ____________.
