A: Multiple Choice Questions (1–30)
1. Statistics is best defined as:
A) A set of mathematical procedures for organizing, summarizing, and interpreting information
B) A set of mathematical procedures for organizing information only
C) A set of mathematical procedures for summarizing information only
D) A set of mathematical procedures for interpreting information only
Answer: A
Rationale: Statistics is a set of mathematical procedures for organizing, summarizing, and interpreting
information.
2. A population is:
A) The set of all individuals of interest in a particular study
B) A subset of individuals selected from a larger group
C) A single individual in a study
D) A random sample of individuals
Answer: A
Rationale: A population is the set of all individuals of interest in a particular study.
3. A sample is:
A) A subset of individuals selected from a population
B) The set of all individuals of interest
C) A single individual in a study
D) A random selection of populations
Answer: A
Rationale: A sample is a subset of individuals selected from a population.
4. A parameter is:
A) A value that describes a population
B) A value that describes a sample
C) A value that describes an individual
D) A value that describes a variable
Answer: A
Rationale: A parameter is a value that describes a population.
5. A statistic is:
A) A value that describes a sample
B) A value that describes a population
C) A value that describes an individual
D) A value that describes a variable
Answer: A
Rationale: A statistic is a value that describes a sample.
6. Descriptive statistics are used to:
A) Organize and summarize data
,B) Draw conclusions about a population
C) Test hypotheses
D) Make predictions about a population
Answer: A
Rationale: Descriptive statistics are used to organize and summarize data.
7. Inferential statistics are used to:
A) Draw conclusions about a population based on sample data
B) Organize and summarize data
C) Describe a sample only
D) Calculate measures of central tendency only
Answer: A
Rationale: Inferential statistics are used to draw conclusions about a population based on sample data.
8. A variable is:
A) A characteristic or condition that changes or has different values for different individuals
B) A characteristic or condition that remains constant
C) A value that describes a population
D) A value that describes a sample
Answer: A
Rationale: A variable is a characteristic or condition that changes or has different values for different
individuals.
9. A constant is:
A) A characteristic or condition that does not change
B) A characteristic or condition that changes
C) A value that describes a population
D) A value that describes a sample
Answer: A
Rationale: A constant is a characteristic or condition that does not change.
10. A datum is:
A) A single measurement or observation
B) A set of measurements
C) A population
D) A sample
Answer: A
Rationale: A datum is a single measurement or observation.
11. Data (plural) are:
A) A set of measurements or observations
B) A single measurement
C) A population
D) A sample
Answer: A
Rationale: Data are a set of measurements or observations.
, 12. A correlational study is:
A) A study that examines the relationship between variables without manipulating them
B) A study that manipulates variables to establish cause and effect
C) A study that describes a population
D) A study that describes a sample
Answer: A
Rationale: A correlational study examines the relationship between variables without manipulating
them.
13. An experimental study is:
A) A study that manipulates one variable to observe its effect on another variable
B) A study that examines the relationship between variables without manipulating them
C) A study that describes a population
D) A study that describes a sample
Answer: A
Rationale: An experimental study manipulates one variable to observe its effect on another variable.
14. The independent variable is:
A) The variable that is manipulated by the researcher
B) The variable that is measured
C) The variable that is held constant
D) The variable that is random
Answer: A
Rationale: The independent variable is the variable that is manipulated by the researcher.
15. The dependent variable is:
A) The variable that is measured
B) The variable that is manipulated
C) The variable that is held constant
D) The variable that is random
Answer: A
Rationale: The dependent variable is the variable that is measured.
16. In an experiment, the researcher manipulates the independent variable and measures the
dependent variable.
A) True
B) False
Answer: A
Rationale: In an experiment, the researcher manipulates the independent variable and measures the
dependent variable.
17. Control is:
A) The process of holding conditions constant to prevent extraneous variables from influencing results
B) The process of manipulating the dependent variable
C) The process of measuring the independent variable
D) The process of randomizing the sample