QMI1500 – Elementary Quantitative Methods Exam
Prep 2025–2026 | 200+ Verified Practice Questions
with Correct Answers & Detailed Rationales |
Complete Test Bank & Study Guide for Statistics,
Probability, and Data Analysis (UNISA)
Question 1:
What is the primary purpose of quantitative methods in research?
A) To analyze qualitative data
B) To analyze numerical data to identify patterns and relationships
C) To collect subjective opinions
D) To conduct interviews
Rationale: Quantitative methods focus on numerical data analysis to derive
conclusions.
Question 2:
What is a variable in quantitative research?
A) A fixed outcome
B) A characteristic or attribute that can take on different values
C) A constant measurement
D) A qualitative description
Rationale: Variables are essential for conducting statistical analyses and experiments.
Question 3:
What is the difference between independent and dependent variables?
A) Independent variables are manipulated, while dependent variables are measured.
B) Independent variables are controlled, while dependent variables are affected by
changes.
C) They are the same.
D) Independent variables are qualitative, while dependent variables are quantitative.
Rationale: Understanding this distinction is crucial for designing experiments and
interpreting results.
Question 4:
What is a hypothesis?
A) A proven theory
B) A testable statement about the relationship between two or more variables
,C) A qualitative description
D) An opinion
Rationale: Hypotheses guide the research process and help in testing theories.
Question 5:
What does it mean to operationalize a variable?
A) To define it qualitatively
B) To define it in measurable terms for research purposes
C) To eliminate it from the study
D) To simplify it
Rationale: Operationalizing variables ensures clarity and measurability in research.
Question 6:
What is a sample in research?
A) The entire population
B) A subset of individuals selected from a larger population for study
C) A theoretical concept
D) A qualitative description
Rationale: Samples allow researchers to draw conclusions about populations without
studying everyone.
Question 7:
What is the purpose of descriptive statistics?
A) To make predictions
B) To summarize and describe the main features of a dataset
C) To test hypotheses
D) To analyze relationships
Rationale: Descriptive statistics provide a clear overview of data characteristics.
Question 8:
Which measure of central tendency is most affected by outliers?
A) Median
B) Mean
C) Mode
D) Standard deviation
,Rationale: The mean is sensitive to extreme values, affecting its representation of data.
Question 9:
What does the standard deviation measure?
A) The average value
B) The dispersion or spread of a set of data points around the mean
C) The central tendency
D) The correlation between variables
Rationale: Standard deviation indicates how much individual data points deviate from
the mean.
Question 10:
What is a confidence interval?
A) A point estimate of a parameter
B) A range of values that is likely to contain the population parameter with a certain
level of confidence
C) An exact value
D) A method of hypothesis testing
Rationale: Confidence intervals provide a range for estimating population parameters.
Question 11:
What does a p-value represent in hypothesis testing?
A) The probability of a type I error
B) The probability of observing the data, or something more extreme, if the null
hypothesis is true
C) The significance level
D) The population parameter
Rationale: P-values help determine the statistical significance of results.
Question 12:
What is a null hypothesis?
A) A hypothesis that predicts a relationship
B) A hypothesis that states there is no effect or relationship between variables
C) A proven theory
D) An opinionated statement
Rationale: The null hypothesis serves as a default position for statistical testing.
, Question 13:
What is the purpose of inferential statistics?
A) To summarize data
B) To make predictions or generalizations about a population based on a sample
C) To describe data characteristics
D) To calculate means
Rationale: Inferential statistics allow for conclusions beyond the immediate data.
Question 14:
What is correlation?
A) A method of hypothesis testing
B) A statistical measure that describes the degree to which two variables move in
relation to each other
C) A measure of central tendency
D) A fixed value
Rationale: Correlation helps identify relationships between variables.
Question 15:
What does a correlation coefficient of +1 indicate?
A) No correlation
B) Perfect positive correlation
C) Perfect negative correlation
D) Weak correlation
Rationale: A correlation coefficient of +1 implies a perfect linear relationship in a
positive direction.
Question 16:
What is a regression analysis used for?
A) To summarize data
B) To predict the value of one variable based on the value of another
C) To calculate means
D) To test hypotheses
Rationale: Regression analysis helps in understanding relationships and making
forecasts.
Prep 2025–2026 | 200+ Verified Practice Questions
with Correct Answers & Detailed Rationales |
Complete Test Bank & Study Guide for Statistics,
Probability, and Data Analysis (UNISA)
Question 1:
What is the primary purpose of quantitative methods in research?
A) To analyze qualitative data
B) To analyze numerical data to identify patterns and relationships
C) To collect subjective opinions
D) To conduct interviews
Rationale: Quantitative methods focus on numerical data analysis to derive
conclusions.
Question 2:
What is a variable in quantitative research?
A) A fixed outcome
B) A characteristic or attribute that can take on different values
C) A constant measurement
D) A qualitative description
Rationale: Variables are essential for conducting statistical analyses and experiments.
Question 3:
What is the difference between independent and dependent variables?
A) Independent variables are manipulated, while dependent variables are measured.
B) Independent variables are controlled, while dependent variables are affected by
changes.
C) They are the same.
D) Independent variables are qualitative, while dependent variables are quantitative.
Rationale: Understanding this distinction is crucial for designing experiments and
interpreting results.
Question 4:
What is a hypothesis?
A) A proven theory
B) A testable statement about the relationship between two or more variables
,C) A qualitative description
D) An opinion
Rationale: Hypotheses guide the research process and help in testing theories.
Question 5:
What does it mean to operationalize a variable?
A) To define it qualitatively
B) To define it in measurable terms for research purposes
C) To eliminate it from the study
D) To simplify it
Rationale: Operationalizing variables ensures clarity and measurability in research.
Question 6:
What is a sample in research?
A) The entire population
B) A subset of individuals selected from a larger population for study
C) A theoretical concept
D) A qualitative description
Rationale: Samples allow researchers to draw conclusions about populations without
studying everyone.
Question 7:
What is the purpose of descriptive statistics?
A) To make predictions
B) To summarize and describe the main features of a dataset
C) To test hypotheses
D) To analyze relationships
Rationale: Descriptive statistics provide a clear overview of data characteristics.
Question 8:
Which measure of central tendency is most affected by outliers?
A) Median
B) Mean
C) Mode
D) Standard deviation
,Rationale: The mean is sensitive to extreme values, affecting its representation of data.
Question 9:
What does the standard deviation measure?
A) The average value
B) The dispersion or spread of a set of data points around the mean
C) The central tendency
D) The correlation between variables
Rationale: Standard deviation indicates how much individual data points deviate from
the mean.
Question 10:
What is a confidence interval?
A) A point estimate of a parameter
B) A range of values that is likely to contain the population parameter with a certain
level of confidence
C) An exact value
D) A method of hypothesis testing
Rationale: Confidence intervals provide a range for estimating population parameters.
Question 11:
What does a p-value represent in hypothesis testing?
A) The probability of a type I error
B) The probability of observing the data, or something more extreme, if the null
hypothesis is true
C) The significance level
D) The population parameter
Rationale: P-values help determine the statistical significance of results.
Question 12:
What is a null hypothesis?
A) A hypothesis that predicts a relationship
B) A hypothesis that states there is no effect or relationship between variables
C) A proven theory
D) An opinionated statement
Rationale: The null hypothesis serves as a default position for statistical testing.
, Question 13:
What is the purpose of inferential statistics?
A) To summarize data
B) To make predictions or generalizations about a population based on a sample
C) To describe data characteristics
D) To calculate means
Rationale: Inferential statistics allow for conclusions beyond the immediate data.
Question 14:
What is correlation?
A) A method of hypothesis testing
B) A statistical measure that describes the degree to which two variables move in
relation to each other
C) A measure of central tendency
D) A fixed value
Rationale: Correlation helps identify relationships between variables.
Question 15:
What does a correlation coefficient of +1 indicate?
A) No correlation
B) Perfect positive correlation
C) Perfect negative correlation
D) Weak correlation
Rationale: A correlation coefficient of +1 implies a perfect linear relationship in a
positive direction.
Question 16:
What is a regression analysis used for?
A) To summarize data
B) To predict the value of one variable based on the value of another
C) To calculate means
D) To test hypotheses
Rationale: Regression analysis helps in understanding relationships and making
forecasts.
