Data Science 1.04 Data Question Considerations

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What is the most important consideration when determining if a question is feasible?

• Whether the question is specific

• If the question is ethical

• The time, resources, and access needed to answer the question

• How fruitful the question is

Answer explanation

Correct Answer: C. The time, resources, and access needed to answer the question
Explanation: Feasibility focuses on whether the question can realistically be answered given the constraints of time, resources, and access. These factors determine if the question is practical to pursue.

• A. Whether the question is specific: While specificity is important, it does not address whether you have the means to answer the question.

• B. If the question is ethical: Ethical considerations ensure the process is appropriate but don’t guarantee that the question is feasible.

• D. How fruitful the question is: Fruitfulness refers to the potential for further analysis, not whether the question is possible to answer.

Which of the following questions can be answered with data?

• What is the best song of all time?

• How do high school students rank their favorite genres of music?

• What is the meaning of life?

• Who is the greatest athlete in history?

Answer explanation

Correct Answer: B. How do high school students rank their favorite genres of music?
Explanation: This question can be answered by collecting and analyzing data, such as survey results.

• A. What is the best song of all time?: This is a subjective question based on opinion, not data.

• C. What is the meaning of life?: This is a philosophical question, not one that can be answered with measurable data.

• D. Who is the greatest athlete in history?: This is subjective and depends on personal opinions or criteria.

What makes a question specific?

• It is broad and flexible for interpretation

• It is clear and well-defined with measurable variables

• It includes an opinion about the topic

• It has only one possible correct answer

Answer explanation

Correct Answer: B. It is clear and well-defined with measurable variables.
Explanation: A specific question avoids vagueness by focusing on measurable and clear variables that can be analyzed.

• A. It is broad and flexible for interpretation: Broad questions lack clarity and are not specific.

• C. It includes an opinion about the topic: Including opinions makes a question subjective, not specific.

• D. It has only one possible correct answer: Specificity does not require a single answer but clarity in defining variables.

Which of the following is an example of a vague question?

• How has climate change impacted rainfall in the last decade?

• What makes someone a good artist?

• Does gender influence salary in the technology field?

• How do different diets affect weight loss?

Answer explanation

Which of the following is an example of a vague question?

• Correct Answer: B. What makes someone a good artist?
  Explanation: This question is unclear and lacks specific variables, making it too vague to analyze.

  • A. How has climate change impacted rainfall in the last decade?: This question is specific, measurable, and well-defined.

  • C. Does gender influence salary in the technology field?: This is a clear and specific question that can be answered with data.

  • D. How do different diets affect weight loss?: This question is specific and measurable, with a clear focus on variables.

What is the difference between an objective and subjective question?

• Objective questions are opinion-based, and subjective questions rely on facts

• Objective questions rely on data, and subjective questions are based on opinion

• Objective questions are vague, and subjective questions are specific

• Objective questions are always ethical, and subjective questions are not

Answer explanation

Correct Answer: B. Objective questions rely on data, and subjective questions are based on opinion.
Explanation: Objective questions are fact-based and measurable, while subjective questions rely on personal opinions.

• A. Objective questions are opinion-based, and subjective questions rely on facts: This reverses the definitions of objective and subjective.

• C. Objective questions are vague, and subjective questions are specific: Specificity and vagueness do not determine whether a question is objective or subjective.

• D. Objective questions are always ethical, and subjective questions are not: Ethics is unrelated to whether a question is objective or subjective.

Which of these is an example of an objective question?

• What is the most beautiful city in the world?

• Which country has the best education system?

• What percentage of students graduate college within four years?

• What is the funniest TV show of all time?

Answer explanation

Correct Answer: C. What percentage of students graduate college within four years?
Explanation: This question can be answered with measurable data.

• A. What is the most beautiful city in the world?: Beauty is subjective and based on opinion.

• B. Which country has the best education system?: “Best” is subjective and depends on personal criteria.

• D. What is the funniest TV show of all time?: Humor is subjective and varies by individual preferences.

What is a fruitful question?

• One that can be quickly answered with Google

• One that leads to further data analysis or exploration

• One that is based on opinions and feelings

• One that addresses a single variable with a simple answer

Answer explanation

Correct Answer: B. One that leads to further data analysis or exploration.
Explanation: Fruitful questions open pathways for additional insights, variables, or iterations of the data cycle.

• A. One that can be quickly answered with Google: Questions that are simple to look up do not allow for deeper analysis.

• C. One that is based on opinions and feelings: Subjective questions are not fruitful because they lack analytical depth.

• D. One that addresses a single variable with a simple answer: Single-variable questions often lead to dead ends.

Which of these is NOT a fruitful question?

• How has the average global temperature changed over the past 50 years?

• How tall is the tallest building in the world?

• Is income level related to health outcomes in urban areas?

• How do students' test scores change based on the time of year?

Answer explanation

Which of these is NOT a fruitful question?

• Correct Answer: B. How tall is the tallest building in the world?
  Explanation: This question is a simple fact that can be looked up and does not lead to further analysis.

  • A. How has the average global temperature changed over the past 50 years?: This question allows for trends and deeper exploration.

  • C. Is income level related to health outcomes in urban areas?: This question explores relationships between variables, making it fruitful.

  • D. How do students' test scores change based on the time of year?: This is a question with potential for multiple insights and analyses.

Why is it important to consider ethics when creating a data question?

• To ensure you can answer the question quickly

• To avoid harming participants or spreading misinformation

• To make sure the question is specific and clear

• To prevent questions from being subjective

Answer explanation

Why is it important to consider ethics when creating a data question?

• Correct Answer: B. To avoid harming participants or spreading misinformation.
  Explanation: Ethical considerations ensure that the research respects participants and maintains data integrity.

  • A. To ensure you can answer the question quickly: Feasibility, not ethics, addresses timeliness.

  • C. To make sure the question is specific and clear: Specificity is unrelated to ethical concerns.

  • D. To prevent questions from being subjective: Subjectivity is not inherently unethical.