1.1 What is Statistics? Practice

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes the main focus of statistics?

• The study of how to collect, organize, analyze, and interpret numerical information from data.

• The process of conducting experiments in a laboratory.

• The art of making predictions without data.

• The study of historical events.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements about individuals and variables is correct?

• Individuals are the people or objects included in the study, and a variable is a characteristic to be measured or observed.

• Individuals are always people, and variables are always numbers.

• Variables are the same as individuals in a study.

• Individuals are the results of a study, and variables are the conclusions.

Multiple Select

Select all statements that correctly describe population data and sample data.

• Population data includes information from every individual of interest.

• Sample data includes information from only some individuals of interest.

• Population data is always more accurate than sample data.

• Sample data can be used to make inferences about a population.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best distinguishes a population parameter from a sample statistic?

• A population parameter describes an aspect of a population, while a sample statistic describes an aspect of a sample.

• A population parameter is always larger than a sample statistic.

• A sample statistic describes an aspect of a population, while a population parameter describes an aspect of a sample.

• A population parameter is a type of sample statistic.

Multiple Choice

Which levels of measurement allow for meaningful differences between data values?

• Nominal and Ordinal

• Ordinal and Interval

• Interval and Ratio

• Nominal and Ratio

Multiple Choice

Which of the following calculations is suitable for data at the ratio level of measurement?

• We can only put the data into categories.

• We can order the data from smallest to largest.

• We can order the data and take differences between values.

• We can order the data, take differences, and find the ratio between data values.

Multiple Select

Select all statements that correctly describe the importance of knowing the level of measurement for a data set.

• It determines which arithmetic processes are appropriate for the data.

• It is only important for nominal data.

• It helps decide which statistical computations can be performed.

• It is not necessary for ratio level data.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes inferential statistics?

• It involves methods of organizing and summarizing information from samples or populations.

• It involves using information from a sample to draw conclusions about a population.

• It involves collecting data from an entire population.

• It involves only qualitative data analysis.

Multiple Choice

How important is music education in school (K–12)? The Harris Poll did an online survey of 2286 adults (aged 18 and older) within the United States. Among the many questions, the survey asked if the respondents agreed or disagreed with the statement, “Learning and habits from music education equip people to be better team players in their careers.” In the most recent survey, 71% of the study participants agreed with the statement.

Based on the survey described, what percentage of participants agreed that music education equips people to be better team players in their careers?

• 51%

• 61%

• 71%

• 81%

Multiple Choice

How important is music education in school (K–12)? The Harris Poll did an online survey of 2286 adults (aged 18 and older) within the United States. Among the many questions, the survey asked if the respondents agreed or disagreed with the statement, “Learning and habits from music education equip people to be better team players in their careers.” In the most recent survey, 71% of the study participants agreed with the statement.

Do the data comprise a sample?

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

How important is music education in school (K–12)? The Harris Poll did an online survey of 2286 adults (aged 18 and older) within the United States. Among the many questions, the survey asked if the respondents agreed or disagreed with the statement, “Learning and habits from music education equip people to be better team players in their careers.” In the most recent survey, 71% of the study participants agreed with the statement.

What's the sample size?

• Adults

• 12

• 2286

• 18

Multiple Choice

How important is music education in school (K–12)? The Harris Poll did an online survey of 2286 adults (aged 18 and older) within the United States. Among the many questions, the survey asked if the respondents agreed or disagreed with the statement, “Learning and habits from music education equip people to be better team players in their careers.” In the most recent survey, 71% of the study participants agreed with the statement.

What's the implied population?

• Adults

• Adults aged 18 or older

• Adults aged 18 or older in the US

Multiple Choice

Is the proportion of respondents in the sample who agree with the statement regarding music education and effect on careers a statistic or a parameter?

• Statistic

• Parameter

• Neither

• Both

Multiple Choice

Which of the following could be considered a quantitative variable of interest in the Harris Poll survey?

• Response to agree/disagree statement

• Age of participants

• Country of residence

• Type of music preferred

Open Ended

Is the variable in the Harris Poll survey qualitative or quantitative? Explain your reasoning.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes the type of data represented by the body temperatures (in degrees Celsius) of trout in the Yellowstone River?

• Nominal

• Ordinal

• Interval

• Ratio

Multiple Choice

Which level of measurement is represented by the names Taos, Acoma, Zuni, and Cochiti?

• Nominal

• Ordinal

• Interval

• Ratio

Open Ended

What is the main difference between nominal and ordinal levels of measurement?

Multiple Select

Select all statements that describe characteristics of ordinal data.

• Ordering of data makes sense

• Numerical differences in ranks are meaningful

• Relative standing matters

• Computed differences between ranks are meaningless

Open Ended

Explain why the difference between ranks in a class (such as 10th and 19th) does not have a meaningful interpretation.