Chapter 1 - The Nature of Probability and Statistics
Chapter 1 - The Nature of Probability and Statistics
1. / Statistics is the science of conducting studies toA) / solve a system of equations.
B) / hypothesize, experiment, and form conclusions.
C) / collect, organize, summarize, analyze, and draw conclusions from data.
D) / monitor, study, and report on a subject.
2. / Probability differs from statistics in that
A) / Probability is the analysis of chance, statistics is the analysis of data
B) / Probability deals more with theoretical data, statistics deals more with real data
C) / Probability deals more with creating models, statistics deals more with applying models
D) / All of the above
3. / What is the term for a characteristic or attribute that can assume different values?
A) datum B) variable C) exponent D) sample
4. / Variables with values that are determined by chance are called
A) / specialized. / C) / random variables.
B) / erratic variables. / D) / inconsistent variables.
5. / If a weather center monitors and calculates the average number of tornadoes that pass through Topeka, Kansas each year, what type of variable would they be investigating?
A) / random variable / C) / isolated variable
B) / controlled variable / D) / weather variable
6. / If you were told that four students from a class of twenty were questioned for a grade versus test preparation poll, this would be an example of
A) sampling. B) surveying. C) interviewing. D) organizing.
7. / Inferential statistics is based on probability theory.
A) True B) False
8. / Which branch of statistics would employ probability to predict how many miles one would be able to drive a 2000 Toyota Celica during its lifetime?
A) / predictive statistics / C) / inferential statistics
B) / descriptive statistics / D) / differential statistics
9. / Which branch of statistics would buy a hundred Toyotas, drive them into the ground, record the final mileage, and then write a report for Car and Driver?
A) / predictive statistics / C) / inferential statistics
B) / descriptive statistics / D) / differential statistics
10. / Which of the following correctly describes the relationship between a sample and a population?
A) / A sample is a group of populations that are subject to observation.
B) / A population is a group of samples that may or may not be included in a study.
C) / A sample is a group of subjects selected from a population to be studied.
D) / A population and a sample are not related.
11. / Based on the following graph, what conclusion could you make comparing how well students did on their statistics exam as a function of how many hours they spent preparing for the exam?
A) / There is no relationship between the number of hours spent preparing for the exam and the average grade.
B) / There is a possible relationship between grades and time spent preparing for the exam.
C) / Grades are independent of preparation time.
D) / Hours spent preparing for an exam is a dependent variable.
12. / Based on Mrs. Smith's electric bill for last year she expects that she will be paying $75/month this year. This is an example of descriptive statistics.
A) True B) False
13. / The amount of time needed to run the Boston marathon is an example of which type of variable?
A) discrete B) qualitative C) continuous D) none of the above
14. / Data can be classified as qualitative, continuous, or nonsequential.
A) True B) False
15. / The number of birds in a tree is an example of a continuous variable.
A) True B) False
16. / A person's hair color would be an example of a quantitative variable.
A) True B) False
17. / The variable of height is an example of a quantitative variable.
A) True B) False
18. / If a variable has only the possible values –1, 6, and 15, then this variable is
A) / a continuous variable
B) / a discrete variable
C) / both a continuous and a discrete variable
D) / neither a continuous nor a discrete variable
19. / What level of measurement classifies data into mutually exclusive (nonoverlapping), exhaustive categories in which no order or ranking can be imposed on the data?
A) nominal B) ordinal C) interval D) ratio
20. / What level of measurement possesses all the characteristics of interval measurement, and there exists a true zero?
A) nominal B) ordinal C) interval D) ratio
21. / If you classified the fruit in a basket as apple, orange, or banana, this would be an example of which level of measurement?
A) nominal B) ordinal C) interval D) ratio
22. / Rating a restaurant by a number of stars is an example of an ordinal level of measurement.
A) True B) False
23. / A variable measuring the number of people in a group
A) / Can only be analyzed as a continuous variable
B) / Can only be analyzed as a discrete variable
C) / Could be analyzed as either continuous or discrete depending on the whether there are a large or small number of people in the group
D) / Cannot be analyzed as either a continuous or as a discrete variable
24. / The four basic methods used to obtain samples are: random, irregular, cluster, and stratified.
A) True B) False
25. / What type of sampling is being employed if the country is divided into economic classes and a sample is chosen from each class to be surveyed?
A) / random sampling / C) / stratified sampling
B) / systematic sampling / D) / cluster sampling
26. / If every 15th customer leaving a movie were surveyed, this would be an example of systematic sampling.
A) True B) False
27. / In a research study, it is always preferable for the researcher to choose his participants as carefully as possible rather than randomly accept samples.
A) True B) False
28. / An independent variable can also be called a(n)
A) / free variable. / C) / suggestive variable.
B) / explanatory variable. / D) / outcome variable.
29. / A dependent variable can also be referred to as an outcome variable.
A) True B) False
30. / If a researcher manipulates one of the variables and tries to determine how the manipulation influences other variables, the researcher is conducting a(n)
A) / observational study. / C) / independent study.
B) / experimental study. / D) / manipulative study.
31. / Which of the following best defines the relationship between confounding, dependent, and independent variables?
A) / The confounding variable influences the independent variable, but has no effect on the dependent variable.
B) / The confounding variable cannot be separated from the dependent variable.
C) / The confounding variable may cause the dependent variable to act independently.
D) / The confounding variable influences the dependent variable, but cannot be separated from the independent variable.
32. / In a true experimental study, the subjects should be assigned to groups randomly. If this is not possible and a researcher uses intact groups, they are performing a
A) / quasi-experimental study. / C) / cluster study.
B) / convoluted study. / D) / stratified study.
33. / When running an experimental study, the group that is manipulated is called the treatment group.
A) True B) False
34. / In the following chart, the height is the independent variable and the age of the tree is the dependent variable.
A) True B) False
35. / An ad for an exercise product states: "Using this product will burn 25% more calories." This is an example of
A) / changing the subject / C) / suspect samples
B) / detached statistics / D) / ambiguous averages
36. / An advertisement for a computer states that it is 15% more powerful than it's competitor. This is an example of
A) / changing the subject / C) / suspect samples
B) / detached statistics / D) / ambiguous averages
37. / A television station interviews 7 movie viewers after the first showing of a movie. After finding out that all five enjoyed the movie very much, the reporter states that this movie will definitely be a big hit. This is an exaample of
A) / changing the subject / C) / suspect samples
B) / detached statistics / D) / ambiguous averages
38. / In an advertisement for a car, a driver is shown driving expertly through a difficult road course. At the bottom of the ad, the following is included in small print "Professional driver on a closed course". This is an example of
A) / changing the subject / C) / suspect samples
B) / detached statistics / D) / implied connections
39. / A magazine tests a new car and reports that it could be twice as fun to drive as it's predecessor. This is NOT an example of
A) / changing the subject / C) / suspect samples
B) / detached statistics / D) / implied connections
40. / Although it is much easier to perform long statistical computations on a calculator or computer, a student still needs to learn how these computations are done in order to understand the data.
A) True B) False
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