CNSL 503 FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 2025
True of False: Statistics is used to prove claims. - ANSWERFalse
What are Variables? - ANSWERVariables are measurable characteristics that can vary
in value.
My answer: Variables are different types of data in an experiment (used to classify the
type of data being collected)
What type of scale is used when labeling or using categories? - ANSWERThis would be
qualitative data and the SCALE would be nominal! Ex: blood type, college majors, room
numbers
True or false: it is generally feasible to collect data from every member of a population -
ANSWERFALSE! unless the target of a particular research study is comprised of a
small population, it is usually not practical or sensible to attempt to reach every member
within a population
Which of the following are examples of ordinal variables? Select all that apply.
- Shirt sizes
- college major
- places in a marathon (1st, 2nd, 3rd)
- Temperature - ANSWER-shirt sizes, places in a marathon Explanation: ordinal is used
for qualitative variables and includes ranking in size or measure (does not indicate how
much the data differ)
When a variable can contain negative values, what type of scale is most appropriate?
Why? - ANSWERAn interval scale because variables containing negative values do not
have an absolute zero. Note: this is quantitative data
When is it most appropriate to use a ratio scale? - ANSWERA ratio scale is used when
a variable has an absolute zero (Ex: height, weight, exam scores, GPA)
Note: this is quantitative data
True or false: statistics are used to communicate results but can be used to mislead
individuals - ANSWERTRUE!
Provide an example of quantitative variable and an example of a qualitative variable -
ANSWERQuantitative Ex: test scores, reaction time, error number, vital signs,
temperature
,Qualitative Ex: sex, college major, eye color, blood type, shirt size
How are sample and population related? - ANSWERA population includes every
member within a particular group, whereas a sample is a smaller subset of the given
population (used to represent the whole population)
True or false: discrete variables are counted as whole numbers - ANSWERTRUE!
discrete variables are quantitative variables that can be organized into separate
categories or counted using whole numbers. Ex: number of patients in a hospital, pets
in a home
_________ statistics involves analyses that provide a way to summarize and describe
data, whereas _________ statistics are performed for researchers to make inferences
and generalizations about populations based on sample data. - ANSWERAnswer:
descriptive; inferential Explanation: descriptive statistics involve calcluations like mean,
median, mode, standard deviation, variance, and range. Inferential statistics involve
calculations such as those use for hypothesis testing (z-scorem, t-test, ANOVA,
correctional analyses).
Which of the following is NOT involved in the process of sampling?
- identify goals
- collect data
- make conclusions
- obtain resources - ANSWERAnswer: obtain resources Explanation: the steps are
identify goals, gather sample, make inferences/conclusions
A movie theater is interested in how movie-goers would rate the current movies being
shown. They survey a group of 100 movie-goers and ask each to rate the movie they
saw on a scale of 1-5 (1 = terrible, 5 = excellent). The surveyors then calculate the
average rating of each movie. This is an example of what kind of statistic?
- descriptive statistics
- sample statistics
- parametric statistics
- inferential statistics - ANSWERdescriptive statistic because average rating of movie is
a calculation used to summarize / describe
Which of the following is a discrete variable? Select all that apply.
- Number of pets per household
- distance
- number of patients at a hospital
- exam scores - ANSWERnumber of pets per household, number of patients at a
hospital
because discrete variables can ONLY be counted as whole numbers!
, Name a continuous variable. Why is it considered continuous? - ANSWEREx: weight,
temperature, time, length, and speed.
continuous variables are variables that can be broken down into smaller, fractional
components (decimals, fractions, etc). It does NOT have to be a whole number
Which of the following fields do NOT use statistics?
- politics
- sports
- entertainment
- medicine
- none of these fields use statistics
- all of these fields use statistics - ANSWERall of these fields use statistics
Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding populations?
- it is expected that every member of a population will agree to participate in a study.
- studying every member of a population is how most behavioral and clinical studies are
conducted
- it is only practical to reach all members of small populations
- only one method is used to gather samples from populations - ANSWERit is only
practical to reach all members of small populations
A team of clinical researchers is studying stress levels of a sample of 15 paramedics
undergoing a new training program at a local hospital. The researchers stage two
hypothetical medical emergencies for the paramedics: one low stakes and one high
stakes. Then they measure their cortisol levels. The scenarios are administered at the
same time every day, but the location changes based on the scenario being presented.
In this experiment - identify the independent, dependent, control, and extraneous
variables. - ANSWERIndependent: emergency situations (scenario)
Dependent: cortisol levels
Control: time of day
Extraneous variables: location
Note: Extraneous variables are any variable not being investigated that has the potential
to affect the outcome of a research study. Control variable is an experimental element
which is constant (controlled) and unchanged throughout!
Why is the field of statistics important? - ANSWERit allows data to be described and
communicated succinctly and concisely. Statistics allow inferences to be drawn about
data, particularly when it is not feasible to collect information from all members of a
certain group. Statistics equip us with the necessary tools needed to critically evaluate
information.
My answer: statistics gives people a guide in a world where there is so much
information - news, advertisements, products, etc. This gives people a way of sorting
through data, organizing numbers, and making everyday decisions.
AND ANSWERS 2025
True of False: Statistics is used to prove claims. - ANSWERFalse
What are Variables? - ANSWERVariables are measurable characteristics that can vary
in value.
My answer: Variables are different types of data in an experiment (used to classify the
type of data being collected)
What type of scale is used when labeling or using categories? - ANSWERThis would be
qualitative data and the SCALE would be nominal! Ex: blood type, college majors, room
numbers
True or false: it is generally feasible to collect data from every member of a population -
ANSWERFALSE! unless the target of a particular research study is comprised of a
small population, it is usually not practical or sensible to attempt to reach every member
within a population
Which of the following are examples of ordinal variables? Select all that apply.
- Shirt sizes
- college major
- places in a marathon (1st, 2nd, 3rd)
- Temperature - ANSWER-shirt sizes, places in a marathon Explanation: ordinal is used
for qualitative variables and includes ranking in size or measure (does not indicate how
much the data differ)
When a variable can contain negative values, what type of scale is most appropriate?
Why? - ANSWERAn interval scale because variables containing negative values do not
have an absolute zero. Note: this is quantitative data
When is it most appropriate to use a ratio scale? - ANSWERA ratio scale is used when
a variable has an absolute zero (Ex: height, weight, exam scores, GPA)
Note: this is quantitative data
True or false: statistics are used to communicate results but can be used to mislead
individuals - ANSWERTRUE!
Provide an example of quantitative variable and an example of a qualitative variable -
ANSWERQuantitative Ex: test scores, reaction time, error number, vital signs,
temperature
,Qualitative Ex: sex, college major, eye color, blood type, shirt size
How are sample and population related? - ANSWERA population includes every
member within a particular group, whereas a sample is a smaller subset of the given
population (used to represent the whole population)
True or false: discrete variables are counted as whole numbers - ANSWERTRUE!
discrete variables are quantitative variables that can be organized into separate
categories or counted using whole numbers. Ex: number of patients in a hospital, pets
in a home
_________ statistics involves analyses that provide a way to summarize and describe
data, whereas _________ statistics are performed for researchers to make inferences
and generalizations about populations based on sample data. - ANSWERAnswer:
descriptive; inferential Explanation: descriptive statistics involve calcluations like mean,
median, mode, standard deviation, variance, and range. Inferential statistics involve
calculations such as those use for hypothesis testing (z-scorem, t-test, ANOVA,
correctional analyses).
Which of the following is NOT involved in the process of sampling?
- identify goals
- collect data
- make conclusions
- obtain resources - ANSWERAnswer: obtain resources Explanation: the steps are
identify goals, gather sample, make inferences/conclusions
A movie theater is interested in how movie-goers would rate the current movies being
shown. They survey a group of 100 movie-goers and ask each to rate the movie they
saw on a scale of 1-5 (1 = terrible, 5 = excellent). The surveyors then calculate the
average rating of each movie. This is an example of what kind of statistic?
- descriptive statistics
- sample statistics
- parametric statistics
- inferential statistics - ANSWERdescriptive statistic because average rating of movie is
a calculation used to summarize / describe
Which of the following is a discrete variable? Select all that apply.
- Number of pets per household
- distance
- number of patients at a hospital
- exam scores - ANSWERnumber of pets per household, number of patients at a
hospital
because discrete variables can ONLY be counted as whole numbers!
, Name a continuous variable. Why is it considered continuous? - ANSWEREx: weight,
temperature, time, length, and speed.
continuous variables are variables that can be broken down into smaller, fractional
components (decimals, fractions, etc). It does NOT have to be a whole number
Which of the following fields do NOT use statistics?
- politics
- sports
- entertainment
- medicine
- none of these fields use statistics
- all of these fields use statistics - ANSWERall of these fields use statistics
Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding populations?
- it is expected that every member of a population will agree to participate in a study.
- studying every member of a population is how most behavioral and clinical studies are
conducted
- it is only practical to reach all members of small populations
- only one method is used to gather samples from populations - ANSWERit is only
practical to reach all members of small populations
A team of clinical researchers is studying stress levels of a sample of 15 paramedics
undergoing a new training program at a local hospital. The researchers stage two
hypothetical medical emergencies for the paramedics: one low stakes and one high
stakes. Then they measure their cortisol levels. The scenarios are administered at the
same time every day, but the location changes based on the scenario being presented.
In this experiment - identify the independent, dependent, control, and extraneous
variables. - ANSWERIndependent: emergency situations (scenario)
Dependent: cortisol levels
Control: time of day
Extraneous variables: location
Note: Extraneous variables are any variable not being investigated that has the potential
to affect the outcome of a research study. Control variable is an experimental element
which is constant (controlled) and unchanged throughout!
Why is the field of statistics important? - ANSWERit allows data to be described and
communicated succinctly and concisely. Statistics allow inferences to be drawn about
data, particularly when it is not feasible to collect information from all members of a
certain group. Statistics equip us with the necessary tools needed to critically evaluate
information.
My answer: statistics gives people a guide in a world where there is so much
information - news, advertisements, products, etc. This gives people a way of sorting
through data, organizing numbers, and making everyday decisions.
