Stats 503 Exam 1 Questions All Solved
2025 Update (A Pass)
variation - Answer- an inherent component
of all living systems
system - Answer- Anything composed of multiple interacting parts
sampling error - Answer- the variation in results from multiple replications of the same
study, due to random chance
census - Answer- collect data on every individual that exists
model - Answer- simplified representation of some part of the real world
inference - Answer- a generalization that you can make about a large group based on
logic and evidence (data) collected on a few members of the group
statistical inference - Answer- a set of formal mathematical procedures used to make
valid generalizations
study population - Answer- the collection of all individual units that we want to draw
conclusions about
sample - Answer- a smaller group selected from the population, that we actually
observe and collect data on
sample units - Answer- the members of the population
statistical sample - Answer- a group of specimens collected from the same study
population
variable - Answer- the characteristics of individuals in the sample that we observe or
measure
distribution - Answer- a mathematical function that describes the relative commonness
or rarity of different values for a variable in a group
statistically related - Answer- knowing the value of one variable tells us something about
the distribution of the other variable
parameters - Answer- quantities that summarize the distribution of a variable in a
population
, statistic - Answer- a quantity that is calculated from data
parameter estimate - Answer- describe our best guess for the value of a parameter
based on the available data
point estimate - Answer- the single value that represents our best guess
standard error - Answer- quantifies our uncertainty about the point estimate
confidence interval - Answer- a pair of values that have a specified chance of containing
the true value
formal hypothesis test - Answer- evaluates the probability that our data would occur if a
set of assumptions about the population are true
biological model - Answer- describes physical and casual relationships that exist
between different parts of a living system, explains how we think the system works,
makes specific testable predictions
statistical model - Answer- an equation or set of equations that:
- describes the distribution of a variable in a population
- describes functional relationships among variables
- allows valid inferences despite sampling error
parametric model - Answer- assumes that the distribution of a variable in the population
follows a specific functional form
nonparametric method - Answer- do not assume that the distribution of a variable in the
population follows any particular functional form
data - Answer- pieces of information that were collected in a consistent, predefined way,
usually to answer a specific question
multivariate dataset - Answer- includes data on >3 variables for each sample unit
wide-format dataset - Answer- repeated observations of the same individual appear in
multiple columns
long-format dataset - Answer- have only one column for each variable
bias - Answer- a systematic misrepresentation of the population, so that on average
over many samples, parameter estimates are too high or too low
accurate - Answer- unbiased estimates
2025 Update (A Pass)
variation - Answer- an inherent component
of all living systems
system - Answer- Anything composed of multiple interacting parts
sampling error - Answer- the variation in results from multiple replications of the same
study, due to random chance
census - Answer- collect data on every individual that exists
model - Answer- simplified representation of some part of the real world
inference - Answer- a generalization that you can make about a large group based on
logic and evidence (data) collected on a few members of the group
statistical inference - Answer- a set of formal mathematical procedures used to make
valid generalizations
study population - Answer- the collection of all individual units that we want to draw
conclusions about
sample - Answer- a smaller group selected from the population, that we actually
observe and collect data on
sample units - Answer- the members of the population
statistical sample - Answer- a group of specimens collected from the same study
population
variable - Answer- the characteristics of individuals in the sample that we observe or
measure
distribution - Answer- a mathematical function that describes the relative commonness
or rarity of different values for a variable in a group
statistically related - Answer- knowing the value of one variable tells us something about
the distribution of the other variable
parameters - Answer- quantities that summarize the distribution of a variable in a
population
, statistic - Answer- a quantity that is calculated from data
parameter estimate - Answer- describe our best guess for the value of a parameter
based on the available data
point estimate - Answer- the single value that represents our best guess
standard error - Answer- quantifies our uncertainty about the point estimate
confidence interval - Answer- a pair of values that have a specified chance of containing
the true value
formal hypothesis test - Answer- evaluates the probability that our data would occur if a
set of assumptions about the population are true
biological model - Answer- describes physical and casual relationships that exist
between different parts of a living system, explains how we think the system works,
makes specific testable predictions
statistical model - Answer- an equation or set of equations that:
- describes the distribution of a variable in a population
- describes functional relationships among variables
- allows valid inferences despite sampling error
parametric model - Answer- assumes that the distribution of a variable in the population
follows a specific functional form
nonparametric method - Answer- do not assume that the distribution of a variable in the
population follows any particular functional form
data - Answer- pieces of information that were collected in a consistent, predefined way,
usually to answer a specific question
multivariate dataset - Answer- includes data on >3 variables for each sample unit
wide-format dataset - Answer- repeated observations of the same individual appear in
multiple columns
long-format dataset - Answer- have only one column for each variable
bias - Answer- a systematic misrepresentation of the population, so that on average
over many samples, parameter estimates are too high or too low
accurate - Answer- unbiased estimates
