Meaning and Branches of Statistics

Which of the following is NOT a branch of statistics?

• Descriptive statistics

• Inferential statistics

• Calculus

• Probability

What is the primary goal of descriptive statistics?

• To summarize and describe data
• To make inferences about a population
• To test hypotheses
• To predict future trends

Which branch of statistics involves drawing conclusions about a population based on a sample?

• Descriptive statistics
• Inferential statistics
• Predictive statistics
• Exploratory statistics

Inferential statistics is used for:

• Summarizing data
• Drawing conclusions about a population based on a sample
• Displaying data using graphs and charts
• Identifying patterns in data

Which of the following is not an application of statistics?

• Medical diagnosis
• Market research
• Social media posting
• Quality control in manufacturing

Which branch of statistics deals with the collection, organization, and presentation of data?

• Descriptive statistics
• Inferential statistics
• Probability theory
• Mathematical statistics

Which of the following is an example of inferential statistics?

• Calculating the mean of a set of data
• Constructing a histogram of a set of data
• Conducting a hypothesis test
• Making a prediction about the future

The Department of Justice is preparing a summary report of all crimes for 2018. Which of the following is a correct use of descriptive statistics to evaluate the dataset it is considering?

• Trying to understand key reasons for the increase in the crime rate by using relevant psychological and sociological theories
• Determining that the largest number of crimes in a larger city in the United States was 34 crimes per 1,000 residents
• Conducting a literature review to project criminal trends in the future
• Determining that the violent crime rate for 2019, based on a regressive projection, will be higher by 2%

A researcher is considering the impact of a virus that targets a particular strain of vegetables in three separate locations around the globe. Elsewhere, a college professor is interested in finding out how popular a particular political candidate is. How are the research methods for these two scenarios different?

• The most effective way of investigating the researcher's dilemma is a survey, while the college professor should conduct a literature review.
• The most effective way of investigating the researcher's dilemma is an experiment, while the college professor should conduct a survey.
• Both of them would receive the best results through conducting a survey of the general population.
• The most effective way of investigating the researcher's dilemma is a literature review, while the college professor should use some form of inferential statistics.

Identify the situation where you would conduct a survey.

• Gallup wishes to determine the proportion of people who see themselves as "thriving."
• Stanford researchers want to determine the effect that improving student vision has on learning.
• A pharmaceutical company wants to advertise that its painkiller is more effective than aspirin, ibuprofen, and Tylenol.
• A gambler wishes to calculate the expected value of buying two lottery tickets.