Instructor's Solutions Manual for Elementary
Statistics Using Excel, 7th Edition by Mario F.
Triola & James Lapp (2026/2027) verified
questions and answers with detailed rationales
Chapter 1: Introduction to Statistics
1. A researcher selects every 50th name from an alphabetical list of all registered voters in a city.
What type of sampling is this?
A) Simple random sample
B) Systematic sample
C) Stratified sample
D) Cluster sample
Answer: B
Rationale: Systematic sampling involves selecting every kth element from a population list. The
researcher selects every 50th name, which is a classic systematic sample. Simple random
sampling requires each element to have an equal chance of selection through a random
mechanism, not a fixed interval.
2. Which of the following is a parameter rather than a statistic?
A) The average age of 100 randomly selected college students
B) The proportion of all adults in the United States who own a smartphone
,C) The standard deviation of test scores from one classroom
D) The mean income of 500 surveyed households
Answer: B
Rationale: A parameter is a numerical measurement describing a characteristic of a population.
The proportion of all adults in the U.S. describes the entire population. Options A, C, and D
describe samples (statistics).
3. A study finds that a new drug reduces headache duration by an average of 2 minutes compared
to a placebo. The result is statistically significant at α = 0.05. What should the researcher
conclude about practical significance?
A) The drug is practically significant because it is statistically significant
B) The drug may not be practically significant because a 2-minute reduction is clinically trivial
C) Practical significance is automatically established when statistical significance is achieved
D) The result is meaningless because statistical significance guarantees practical importance
Answer: B
Rationale: Statistical significance indicates that an effect is unlikely due to chance, but practical
significance depends on whether the effect size is large enough to matter in real-world terms. A
2-minute reduction in headache duration is likely clinically trivial, even if statistically detectable.
4. In Excel, which function generates a random number between 0 and 1?
A) =RAND()
B) =RANDBETWEEN(0,1)
C) =RANDOM()
,D) =RANDNUMBER()
Answer: A
Rationale: =RAND() returns a random decimal between 0 and 1. =RANDBETWEEN(0,1)
returns either 0 or 1, not a continuous decimal. =RANDOM() and =RANDNUMBER() are not
valid Excel functions.
5. A researcher measures the heights of 30 randomly selected basketball players. The data are
continuous. What level of measurement applies to height?
A) Nominal
B) Ordinal
C) Interval
D) Ratio
Answer: D
Rationale: Height is measured on a ratio scale because it has a true zero point (0 cm means no
height), and ratios are meaningful (a 200 cm player is twice as tall as a 100 cm player). Interval
scales lack a true zero (e.g., temperature in Celsius).
6. Which sampling method divides the population into subgroups based on gender, then
randomly selects from each subgroup?
A) Cluster sampling
B) Stratified sampling
C) Convenience sampling
D) Systematic sampling
, Answer: B
Rationale: Stratified sampling divides the population into homogeneous subgroups (strata) and
randomly samples from each. Cluster sampling selects entire groups. Convenience sampling uses
readily available subjects.
7. A study reports: "There is a 3% chance of observing these results if the treatment has no
effect." What does this statement describe?
A) The power of the test
B) The P-value
C) The effect size
D) The confidence level
Answer: B
Rationale: The P-value is the probability of obtaining results at least as extreme as observed,
assuming the null hypothesis (no effect) is true. A 3% chance corresponds to a P-value of 0.03.
8. Which of the following is an example of a voluntary response sample?
A) Randomly selecting 100 students from a university registry
B) An online poll where viewers call in to vote
C) Selecting every 10th customer entering a store
D) Using a computer to randomly assign treatments
Answer: B
Statistics Using Excel, 7th Edition by Mario F.
Triola & James Lapp (2026/2027) verified
questions and answers with detailed rationales
Chapter 1: Introduction to Statistics
1. A researcher selects every 50th name from an alphabetical list of all registered voters in a city.
What type of sampling is this?
A) Simple random sample
B) Systematic sample
C) Stratified sample
D) Cluster sample
Answer: B
Rationale: Systematic sampling involves selecting every kth element from a population list. The
researcher selects every 50th name, which is a classic systematic sample. Simple random
sampling requires each element to have an equal chance of selection through a random
mechanism, not a fixed interval.
2. Which of the following is a parameter rather than a statistic?
A) The average age of 100 randomly selected college students
B) The proportion of all adults in the United States who own a smartphone
,C) The standard deviation of test scores from one classroom
D) The mean income of 500 surveyed households
Answer: B
Rationale: A parameter is a numerical measurement describing a characteristic of a population.
The proportion of all adults in the U.S. describes the entire population. Options A, C, and D
describe samples (statistics).
3. A study finds that a new drug reduces headache duration by an average of 2 minutes compared
to a placebo. The result is statistically significant at α = 0.05. What should the researcher
conclude about practical significance?
A) The drug is practically significant because it is statistically significant
B) The drug may not be practically significant because a 2-minute reduction is clinically trivial
C) Practical significance is automatically established when statistical significance is achieved
D) The result is meaningless because statistical significance guarantees practical importance
Answer: B
Rationale: Statistical significance indicates that an effect is unlikely due to chance, but practical
significance depends on whether the effect size is large enough to matter in real-world terms. A
2-minute reduction in headache duration is likely clinically trivial, even if statistically detectable.
4. In Excel, which function generates a random number between 0 and 1?
A) =RAND()
B) =RANDBETWEEN(0,1)
C) =RANDOM()
,D) =RANDNUMBER()
Answer: A
Rationale: =RAND() returns a random decimal between 0 and 1. =RANDBETWEEN(0,1)
returns either 0 or 1, not a continuous decimal. =RANDOM() and =RANDNUMBER() are not
valid Excel functions.
5. A researcher measures the heights of 30 randomly selected basketball players. The data are
continuous. What level of measurement applies to height?
A) Nominal
B) Ordinal
C) Interval
D) Ratio
Answer: D
Rationale: Height is measured on a ratio scale because it has a true zero point (0 cm means no
height), and ratios are meaningful (a 200 cm player is twice as tall as a 100 cm player). Interval
scales lack a true zero (e.g., temperature in Celsius).
6. Which sampling method divides the population into subgroups based on gender, then
randomly selects from each subgroup?
A) Cluster sampling
B) Stratified sampling
C) Convenience sampling
D) Systematic sampling
, Answer: B
Rationale: Stratified sampling divides the population into homogeneous subgroups (strata) and
randomly samples from each. Cluster sampling selects entire groups. Convenience sampling uses
readily available subjects.
7. A study reports: "There is a 3% chance of observing these results if the treatment has no
effect." What does this statement describe?
A) The power of the test
B) The P-value
C) The effect size
D) The confidence level
Answer: B
Rationale: The P-value is the probability of obtaining results at least as extreme as observed,
assuming the null hypothesis (no effect) is true. A 3% chance corresponds to a P-value of 0.03.
8. Which of the following is an example of a voluntary response sample?
A) Randomly selecting 100 students from a university registry
B) An online poll where viewers call in to vote
C) Selecting every 10th customer entering a store
D) Using a computer to randomly assign treatments
Answer: B
