Statistics Portage CNSL 503 Exam 1 Questions and
Answers
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF STATISTICS
Question 1
What is the branch of statistics that involves the organization, summarization, and
display of data?
A) Inferential Statistics
B) Descriptive Statistics
C) Predictive Statistics
D) Analytical Statistics
Answer: B) Descriptive Statistics
Rationale: Descriptive statistics involves the organization, summarization, and
display of data through measures such as mean, median, mode, and graphical
representations. Inferential statistics, by contrast, uses sample data to make
generalizations about a larger population .
Question 2
Statistics encompasses the mathematical field that allows us to:
A) Only collect data
B) Organize, summarize, describe, and interpret different forms of information
C) Prove scientific theories with 100% certainty
D) Eliminate all sources of error in research
Answer: B) Organize, summarize, describe, and interpret different forms of
information
Rationale: Statistics allows us to organize, summarize, describe, and interpret
,different forms of information. It involves using mathematical formulas and
calculations to understand both small and large sets of information called data .
Question 3
What are three reasons why statistics are important?
A) They eliminate bias, prove hypotheses, and guarantee accurate results
B) They allow data to be described succinctly, allow inferences to be drawn about
data, and equip researchers with tools to make everyday decisions
C) They replace the need for scientific reasoning
D) They make all research findings 100% certain
Answer: B) They allow data to be described succinctly, allow inferences to be
drawn about data, and equip researchers with tools to make everyday decisions
Rationale: Statistics allow data to be described and communicated succinctly and
concisely, allow inferences to be drawn about data, and equip researchers with
necessary tools to make everyday decisions. Statistics should not be used to
"prove" claims with 100% certainty .
Question 4
A variable is defined as:
A) A fixed characteristic that never changes
B) A measurable characteristic that can vary in value
C) The outcome of an experiment
D) A research question
Answer: B) A measurable characteristic that can vary in value
Rationale: A variable is a measurable characteristic that can vary in value.
Examples include religion, temperature, cancer diagnosis, number of patients in a
hospital, and job satisfaction. Variables can be either qualitative or quantitative .
, Question 5
Variables can be classified as:
A) Only numerical
B) Only categorical
C) Qualitative (categorical) or Quantitative (numerical)
D) Only continuous
Answer: C) Qualitative (categorical) or Quantitative (numerical)
Rationale: Variables can be either qualitative (categorical) or quantitative
(numerical). Qualitative variables are measured in non-numerical terms using
labels or categories and are all discrete. Quantitative variables are measured in
numerical terms and can be discrete or continuous .
Question 6
Which of the following is an example of a qualitative variable?
A) Temperature
B) Number of patients in a hospital
C) Religion
D) Time
Answer: C) Religion
Rationale: Religion is a qualitative (categorical) variable because it is measured in
non-numerical terms using labels or categories. Temperature, number of patients,
and time are all quantitative variables measured numerically .
Question 7
Which of the following is an example of a quantitative variable?
A) Cancer diagnosis
B) Blood type
C) College major
D) Temperature
Answers
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF STATISTICS
Question 1
What is the branch of statistics that involves the organization, summarization, and
display of data?
A) Inferential Statistics
B) Descriptive Statistics
C) Predictive Statistics
D) Analytical Statistics
Answer: B) Descriptive Statistics
Rationale: Descriptive statistics involves the organization, summarization, and
display of data through measures such as mean, median, mode, and graphical
representations. Inferential statistics, by contrast, uses sample data to make
generalizations about a larger population .
Question 2
Statistics encompasses the mathematical field that allows us to:
A) Only collect data
B) Organize, summarize, describe, and interpret different forms of information
C) Prove scientific theories with 100% certainty
D) Eliminate all sources of error in research
Answer: B) Organize, summarize, describe, and interpret different forms of
information
Rationale: Statistics allows us to organize, summarize, describe, and interpret
,different forms of information. It involves using mathematical formulas and
calculations to understand both small and large sets of information called data .
Question 3
What are three reasons why statistics are important?
A) They eliminate bias, prove hypotheses, and guarantee accurate results
B) They allow data to be described succinctly, allow inferences to be drawn about
data, and equip researchers with tools to make everyday decisions
C) They replace the need for scientific reasoning
D) They make all research findings 100% certain
Answer: B) They allow data to be described succinctly, allow inferences to be
drawn about data, and equip researchers with tools to make everyday decisions
Rationale: Statistics allow data to be described and communicated succinctly and
concisely, allow inferences to be drawn about data, and equip researchers with
necessary tools to make everyday decisions. Statistics should not be used to
"prove" claims with 100% certainty .
Question 4
A variable is defined as:
A) A fixed characteristic that never changes
B) A measurable characteristic that can vary in value
C) The outcome of an experiment
D) A research question
Answer: B) A measurable characteristic that can vary in value
Rationale: A variable is a measurable characteristic that can vary in value.
Examples include religion, temperature, cancer diagnosis, number of patients in a
hospital, and job satisfaction. Variables can be either qualitative or quantitative .
, Question 5
Variables can be classified as:
A) Only numerical
B) Only categorical
C) Qualitative (categorical) or Quantitative (numerical)
D) Only continuous
Answer: C) Qualitative (categorical) or Quantitative (numerical)
Rationale: Variables can be either qualitative (categorical) or quantitative
(numerical). Qualitative variables are measured in non-numerical terms using
labels or categories and are all discrete. Quantitative variables are measured in
numerical terms and can be discrete or continuous .
Question 6
Which of the following is an example of a qualitative variable?
A) Temperature
B) Number of patients in a hospital
C) Religion
D) Time
Answer: C) Religion
Rationale: Religion is a qualitative (categorical) variable because it is measured in
non-numerical terms using labels or categories. Temperature, number of patients,
and time are all quantitative variables measured numerically .
Question 7
Which of the following is an example of a quantitative variable?
A) Cancer diagnosis
B) Blood type
C) College major
D) Temperature
