Section A -- Basic Statistics

Basic Introduction to Statistics

Section A - Tuesday September 1 2026

Multiple Choice

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

• To collect and organize data for drawing conclusions or answering questions

• To memorize numbers and formulas

• To create random graphs and charts

• To guess outcomes without evidence

Multiple Choice

Which of the following steps is necessary to convert raw data into a distribution that can be analyzed statistically?

• Assigning variables to characteristics

• Converting non-numeric raw scores to numbers

• Collecting names of individuals

• Listing characteristics such as height and weight

Multiple Choice

Based on the process of statistical inference, what is the main difference between descriptive statistics and inferential statistics?

• Descriptive statistics summarize data, inferential statistics make predictions about a population

• Descriptive statistics use probability, inferential statistics do not

• Inferential statistics only describe data, not predict

• Descriptive statistics require a sample, inferential statistics require a population

Multiple Select

Which of the following are examples of population parameters and their corresponding sample statistics?

• Mean (μ) and $$\overline{x}$$

• Variance (σ²) and s²

• Proportion (π or P) and p' (p-hat)

• Standard Deviation (σ) and s

• Population size (N) and Sample size (n)

Open Ended

What are some things you CAN'T infer about the population's parameters (height vs weight variables) just from the regression line?

Categorize

Options (7)

Name

Specialty

Gender

Rank

Age

Num of years of teaching

Height

Match the variables to their type. If you're not sure, take the "average" and see if it gives you meaningful information.
(Ex, p4)

Qualitative (Categorical)

Quantitative