CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION AND DATA COLLECTION
1. The process of using sample statistics to draw conclusions about true population parameters is
called
a) statistical inference.
b) the scientific method.
c) sampling.
d) descriptive statistics.
ANSWER:
a
TYPE: MC DIFFICULTY: Easy
KEYWORDS: inferential statistics
2. Those methods involving the collection, presentation, and characterization of a set of data in
order to properly describe the various features of that set of data are called
a) statistical inference.
b) the scientific method.
c) sampling.
d) descriptive statistics.
ANSWER:
d
TYPE: MC DIFFICULTY: Easy
KEYWORDS: descriptive statistics
3. The collection and summarization of the socioeconomic and physical characteristics of the
employees of a particular firm is an example of
a) inferential statistics.
b) descriptive statistics.
c) a parameter.
d) a statistic.
ANSWER:
b
TYPE: MC DIFFICULTY: Easy
KEYWORDS: descriptive statistics
4. The estimation of the population average family expenditure on food based on the sample
average expenditure of 1,000 families is an example of
a) inferential statistics.
b) descriptive statistics.
c) a parameter.
d) a statistic.
ANSWER:
a
TYPE: MC DIFFICULTY: Easy
KEYWORDS: inferential statistics
,2 Introduction and Data Collection
5. The universe or "totality of items or things" under consideration is called
a) a sample.
b) a population.
c) a parameter.
d) a statistic.
ANSWER:
b
TYPE: MC DIFFICULTY: Easy
KEYWORDS: population
6. The portion of the universe that has been selected for analysis is called
a) a sample.
b) a frame.
c) a parameter.
d) a statistic.
ANSWER:
a
TYPE: MC DIFFICULTY: Easy
KEYWORDS: sample
7. A summary measure that is computed to describe a characteristic from only a sample of the
population is called
a) a parameter.
b) a census.
c) a statistic.
d) the scientific method.
ANSWER:
c
TYPE: MC DIFFICULTY: Easy
KEYWORDS: statistic
8. A summary measure that is computed to describe a characteristic of an entire population is called
a) a parameter.
b) a census.
c) a statistic.
d) the scientific method.
ANSWER:
a
TYPE: MC DIFFICULTY: Easy
KEYWORDS: parameter
9. Which of the following is most likely a population as opposed to a sample?
a) respondents to a newspaper survey
b) the first 5 students completing an assignment
c) every third person to arrive at the bank
d) registered voters in a county
ANSWER:
d
, Introduction and Data Collection 3
TYPE: MC DIFFICULTY: Moderate
KEYWORDS: population, sample
10. Which of the following is most likely a parameter as opposed to a statistic?
a) the average score of the first five students completing an assignment
b) the proportion of females registered to vote in a county
c) the average height of people randomly selected from a database
d) the proportion of trucks stopped yesterday that were cited for bad brakes
ANSWER:
b
TYPE: MC DIFFICULTY: Moderate
KEYWORDS: parameter, statistic
11. Which of the following is not an element of descriptive statistical problems?
a) an inference made about the population based on the sample
b) the population or sample of interest
c) tables, graphs, or numerical summary tools
d) identification of patterns in the data
ANSWER:
a
TYPE: MC DIFFICULTY: Moderate
KEYWORDS: descriptive statistics
12. A study is under way in Yosemite National Forest to determine the adult height of American
pine trees. Specifically, the study is attempting to determine what factors aid a tree in reaching
heights greater than 60 feet tall. It is estimated that the forest contains 25,000 adult American
pines. The study involves collecting heights from 250 randomly selected adult American pine
trees and analyzing the results. Identify the population from which the study was sampled.
a) the 250 randomly selected adult American pine trees
b) the 25,000 adult American pine trees in the forest
c) all the adult American pine trees taller than 60 feet
d) all American pine trees, of any age, in the forest
ANSWER:
b
TYPE: MC DIFFICULTY: Moderate
KEYWORDS: population, sample
13. A study is under way in Yosemite National Forest to determine the adult height of American
pine trees. Specifically, the study is attempting to determine what factors aid a tree in reaching
heights greater than 60 feet tall. It is estimated that the forest contains 25,000 adult American
pines. The study involves collecting heights from 250 randomly selected adult American pine
trees and analyzing the results. Identify the variable of interest in the study
a) the age of an American pine tree in Yosemite National Forest
b) the height of an American pine tree in Yosemite National Forest
c) the number of American pine trees in Yosemite National Forest
d) the species of trees in Yosemite National Forest
ANSWER:
b
,4 Introduction and Data Collection
TYPE: MC DIFFICULTY: Easy
KEYWORDS: data, sampling
14. A study is under way in Yosemite National Forest to determine the adult height of American
pine trees. Specifically, the study is attempting to determine what factors aid a tree in reaching
heights greater than 60 feet tall. It is estimated that the forest contains 25,000 adult American
pines. The study involves collecting heights from 250 randomly selected adult American pine
trees and analyzing the results. Identify the sample in the study.
a) the 250 randomly selected adult American pine trees
b) the 25,000 adult American pine trees in the forest
c) all the adult American pine trees taller than 60 feet
d) all American pine trees, of any age, in the forest
ANSWER:
a
TYPE: MC DIFFICULTY: Easy
KEYWORDS: population, sample
15. Most analysts focus on the cost of tuition as the way to measure the cost of a college education.
But incidentals, such as textbook costs, are rarely considered. A researcher at Drummand
University wishes to estimate the textbook costs of first-year students at Drummand. To do so,
she monitored the textbook cost of 250 first-year students and found that their average textbook
cost was $300 per semester. Identify the population of interest to the researcher.
a) all Drummand University students
b) all college students
c) all first-year Drummand University students
d) the 250 students that were monitored
ANSWER:
c
TYPE: MC DIFFICULTY: Easy
KEYWORDS: population, sample
16. Most analysts focus on the cost of tuition as the way to measure the cost of a college education.
But incidentals, such as textbook costs, are rarely considered. A researcher at Drummand
University wishes to estimate the textbook costs of first-year students at Drummand. To do so,
she monitored the textbook cost of 250 first-year students and found that their average textbook
cost was $300 per semester. Identify the variable of interest to the researcher
a) the textbook cost of first-year Drummand University students
b) the year in school of Drummand University students
c) the age of Drummand University students
d) the cost of incidental expenses of Drummand University students
ANSWER:
a
TYPE: MC DIFFICULTY: Easy
KEYWORDS: data, sampling
17. Most analysts focus on the cost of tuition as the way to measure the cost of a college education.
But incidentals, such as textbook costs, are rarely considered. A researcher at Drummand
University wishes to estimate the textbook costs of first-year students at Drummand. To do so,
she monitored the textbook cost of 250 first-year students and found that their average textbook
cost was $300 per semester. Identify the sample in the study.
, Introduction and Data Collection 5
a) all Drummand University students
b) all college students
c) all first-year Drummand University students
d) the 250 students that were monitored
ANSWER:
d
TYPE: MC DIFFICULTY: Easy
KEYWORDS: population, sample
18. Researchers suspect that the average number of units earned per semester by college students is
rising. A researcher at Calendula College wishes to estimate the number of units earned by
students during the spring semester at Calendula. To do so, he randomly selects 100 student
transcripts and records the number of units each student earned in the spring term. He found that
the average number of semester units completed was 12.96 units per student. Identify the
population of interest to the researcher.
a) all Calendula College students
b) all college students
c) all Calendula College students enrolled in the spring
d) all college students enrolled in the spring
ANSWER:
c
TYPE: MC DIFFICULTY: Moderate
KEYWORDS: population, sample
19. The average number of units earned per semester by college students is suspected to be rising. A
researcher at Calendula College wishes to estimate the number of units earned by students during
the spring semester at Calendula. To do so, he randomly selects 100 student transcripts and
records the number of units each student earned in the spring term. Identify the variable of
interest to the researcher.
a) the number of students enrolled at Calendula College during the spring term
b) the average indebtedness of Calendula College students enrolled in the spring
c) the age of Calendula College students enrolled in the spring
d) the number of units earned by Calendula College students during the spring term
ANSWER:
d
TYPE: MC DIFFICULTY: Easy
KEYWORDS: data, sampling
20. Jared was working on a project to look at global warming and accessed an Internet site where he
captured average global surface temperatures from 1866. Which of the four methods of data
collection was he using?
a) published sources
b) experimentation
c) surveying
d) observation
ANSWER:
a
TYPE: MC DIFFICULTY: Easy
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KEYWORDS: sources of data
21. The British Airways Internet site provides a questionnaire instrument that can be answered
electronically. Which of the 4 methods of data collection is involved when people complete the
questionnaire?
a) published sources
b) experimentation
c) surveying
d) observation
ANSWER:
c
TYPE: MC DIFFICULTY: Easy
KEYWORDS: sources of data
22. A marketing research firm, in conducting a comparative taste test, provided three types of peanut
butter to a sample of households randomly selected within the state. Which of the 4 methods of
data collection is involved when people are asked to compare the three types of peanut butter?
a) published sources
b) experimentation
c) surveying
d) observation
ANSWER:
b
TYPE: MC DIFFICULTY: Easy
KEYWORDS: sources of data
23. Tim was planning for a meeting with his boss to discuss a raise in his annual salary. In
preparation, he wanted to use the Consumer Price Index to determine the percentage increase in
his real (inflation-adjusted) salary over the last three years. Which of the 4 methods of data
collection was involved when he used the Consumer Price Index?
a) published sources
b) experimentation
c) surveying
d) observation
ANSWER:
a
TYPE: MC DIFFICULTY: Easy
KEYWORDS: sources of data
24. Which of the 4 methods of data collection is involved when a person counts the number of cars
passing designated locations on the Los Angeles freeway system?
a) published sources
b) experimentation
c) surveying
d) observation
ANSWER:
d
TYPE: MC DIFFICULTY: Moderate