Deck 1: Introduction to Statistics

Question 1

A recent study reports that students who just finished playing a prosocial video game were more likely to help others than students who had played a neutral or antisocial game.For this study,what is the independent variable?

A)The students who were given the prosocial game
B)The students who were given the neutral or antisocial game
C)The kind of game given to the students
D)The helping behavior of the students

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Which of the following is an example of a continuous variable?

A)The gender of each student in a psychology class
B)The number of males in each class offered by the college
C)The amount of time to solve a problem
D)The number of children in a family

Answer 2

C

Question 3

In an experimental study,

A)1 variable is measured and 2 groups are compared.
B)2 variables are measured and 2 groups are compared.
C)1 variable is measured and there is only 1 group of participants.
D)2 variables are measured and there is only 1 group of participants.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

A characteristic,usually a numerical value,which describes a sample is called a _______.

A)parameter
B)statistic
C)variable
D)constant

Question 5

The relationship between a statistic and a parameter is the same as the relationship between ______.

A)a sample and a population
B)a statistic and a parameter
C)a parameter and a population
D)descriptive statistics and inferential statistics

Question 6

The average verbal SAT score for the entire class of entering freshmen is 530.However,if you select a sample of 20 freshmen and compute their average verbal SAT score you probably will not get exactly 530.What statistical concept is used to explain the natural difference that exists between a sample mean and the corresponding population mean?

A)Statistical error
B)Inferential error
C)Sampling error
D)Parametric error

Question 7

For an experiment comparing two methods of teaching social skills training to autistic children,the independent variable is _______ and the dependent variable is _______.

A)teaching methods; the autistic children
B)the autistic children; the social skills that are learned
C)the social skills that are learned; the autistic children
D)teaching methods; the social skills that are learned

Question 8

Which of the following is an example of a discrete variable?

A)The age of each student in a psychology class
B)The gender of each student in a psychology class
C)The amount of time to solve a problem
D)The amount of weight gained for each freshman at a local college

Question 9

A researcher uses an anonymous survey to investigate the television-viewing habits of American adolescents.The entire group of American adolescents is an example of a _________.

A)sample
B)statistic
C)population
D)parameter

Question 10

Although a research study is typically conducted with a relatively small group of participants known as a _________,most researchers hope to generalize their results to a much larger group known as a _________.

A)sample; population
B)statistic; sample
C)population; sample
D)parameter; population

Question 11

Organizing a set of scores in a table is an example of using _______.

A)parameters
B)statistics
C)descriptive statistics
D)inferential statistics

Question 12

If it is impossible to divide the existing categories of a variable,then it is an example of a _____ variable.

A)independent
B)dependent
C)discrete
D)continuous

Question 13

A researcher is interested in the eating behavior of rats and selects a group of 25 rats to be tested in a research study.The group of 25 rats is an example of a ______.

A)sample
B)statistic
C)population
D)parameter

Question 14

A researcher records the change in weight (gain or lost)during the first semester of college for each individual in a group of 25 freshmen and calculates the average change in weight.The average is an example of a _______.

A)parameter
B)statistic
C)variable
D)constant

Question 15

In a correlational study,

A)1 variable is measured and 2 groups are compared.
B)2 variables are measured and 2 groups are compared.
C)1 variable is measured and there is only 1 group of participants.
D)2 variables are measured and there is only 1 group of participants.

Question 16

A researcher is curious about the average monthly cell phone bill for high school students in the state of Florida.If this average could be obtained,it would be an example of a ______.

A)sample
B)statistic
C)population
D)parameter

Question 17

For a research study comparing attitude scores for males and females,participant gender is an example of what kind of variable?

A)An independent variable
B)A dependent variable
C)A quasi-independent variable
D)A quasi-dependent variable

Question 18

A researcher uses an anonymous survey to investigate the television-viewing habits of American adolescents.Based on the set of 356 surveys that were completed and returned,the researcher finds that these students spend an average of 3.1 hours each day watching television.For this study,the set of 356 students who returned surveys is an example of a _______.

A)parameter
B)statistic
C)population
D)sample

Question 19

A researcher conducts an experiment to determine whether moderate doses of St.Johns Wort have any effect of memory for college students.For this study,what is the independent variable?

A)The amount of St.Johns Wort given to each participant
B)The memory score for each participant
C)The group of college students
D)Cannot answer without more information

Question 20

A researcher uses an anonymous survey to investigate the television-viewing habits of American adolescents.The goal of the research is to determine the average number of hours each day that American adolescents spend watching television.The researcher is trying to determine a number that is an example of a _____.

A)parameter
B)statistic
C)population
D)sample

Question 21

What is the first step to be performed in the following mathematical expression,ΣX²?

A)Square each score
B)Add the scores
C)Add the squared scores
D)Square the sum of the scores

Question 22

What is the final step to be performed when computing Σ(X - 2)²?

A)Square each value
B)Subtract 2 points from each score
C)Sum the squared values
D)Subtract 2² from each X² value

Question 23

What is the value of ΣX² for the scores 1,0,2,4?

A)14
B)21
C)28
D)49

Question 24

The participants in a research study are classified as high,medium,or low in self-esteem.What measurement scale is being used to classify self-esteem?

A)Nominal
B)Ordinal
C)Interval
D)Ratio

Question 25

After measuring two individuals,a researcher can say that Tom's score is 4 points higher than Bill's.The measurements must come from a(n)_______ scale.

A)nominal
B)ordinal
C)interval
D)interval or ratio

Question 26

What is the value of Σ(X + 1)for the scores 1,0,1,4?

A)4
B)6
C)7
D)10

Question 27

A doctor is measuring children's heights to the nearest ½ inch and obtains scores such as 40.0,40.5,41.0,and so on.What are the real limits for a score of X = 42?

A)41 and 43
B)41.5 and 42.5
C)41.75 and 42.25
D)41.25 and 42.75

Question 28

What is the first step to be performed when computing Σ(X + 2)²?

A)Square each value
B)Add 2 points to each score
C)Sum the squared values
D)Sum the (X + 2)values

Question 29

Students in an introductory art class are classified as art majors and non-art majors.What scale of measurement is being used to classify the students?

A)Nominal
B)Ordinal
C)Interval
D)Ratio

Question 30

What scale of measurement is being used when a teacher measures the number of correct answers on a quiz for each student?

A)Nominal
B)Ordinal
C)Interval
D)Ratio

Question 31

What additional information is obtained by measuring two individuals on an ordinal scale compared to a nominal scale?

A)Whether the measurements are the same or different
B)The direction of the difference
C)The size of the difference
D)None of the other options is correct

Question 32

What kind of variable requires the use of real limits?

A)Independent
B)Dependent
C)Discrete
D)Continuous

Question 33

Using letter grades (A,B,C,D,and E)to classify student performance on an exam is an example of measurement on a(n)_______ scale of measurement.

A)nominal
B)ordinal
C)interval
D)ratio

Question 34

What additional information is obtained by measuring two individuals on an interval scale compared to a ordinal scale?

A)Whether the measurements are the same or different
B)The direction of the difference
C)The size of the difference
D)None of the other options is correct

Question 35

For statistical purposes,it usually is not important to differentiate between which two scales of measurement?

A)Nominal and ordinal
B)Ordinal and interval
C)Interval and ratio
D)Nominal and interval

Question 36

What is the final step to be performed in the mathematical expression,(ΣX)²?

A)Square each score
B)Add the scores
C)Add the squared scores
D)Square the sum of the scores

Question 37

What is the value of (ΣX)² for the scores 1,5,2?

A)10
B)16
C)30
D)64

Question 38

What kind of measurement scale is necessary to conclude that one score is twice a big as another?

A)Ordinal
B)Interval
C)Ratio
D)Interval or ratio

Question 39

What is the value of ΣX + 1 for the scores 1,0,2,4?

A)8
B)10
C)11
D)14

Question 40

Determining the class standing (1^st,2^nd,and so on)for the graduating seniors at a high school would involve measurement on a(n)_____ scale of measurement.

A)nominal
B)ordinal
C)interval
D)ratio

Question 41

A recent study found a correlation between gum disease and heart disease.This result indicates that gum disease causes people to develop heart disease.

Question 42

A researcher interested in vocabulary development obtains a sample of 3-year-old children to participate in a research study.The average score for the group of children is an example of a parameter.

Question 43

What is the value of Σ(X + 1)for the scores 2,4,7?

A)10
B)11
C)13
D)16

Question 44

A correlational study is used to examine the relationship between two variables but cannot determine whether it is a cause-and-effect relationship.

Question 45

A researcher is interested in the average income for registered voters in the United States.The entire group of registered voters is an example of a population.

Question 46

A recent report concluded that college graduates have higher life-satisfaction scores than individuals who do not receive college degrees.For this study,graduating versus not graduating is an example of a quasi-independent variable.

Question 47

You are instructed to subtract 4 points from each score and find the sum of the resulting values.How would this set of instructions be expressed in summation notation?

A)ΣX - 4
B)Σ (X - 4)
C)4 - ΣX
D)Σ(4 - X)

Question 48

A correlational study typically uses only one group of participants but measures two different variables (two scores)for each individual.

Question 49

The goal for an experiment is to demonstrate that changes in one variable are responsible for causing changes in a second variable.

Question 50

Which of the following is done last in the order of operations?

A)Squaring
B)Multiplication
C)Addition
D)Summation ( $\Sigma$ )

Question 51

An experimental research study typically involves measuring two scores for each individual in one group of participants.

Question 52

What is the value of Σ(X - 2 )² for the scores 2,3,5?

A)8
B)10
C)16
D)36

Question 53

A recent report concluded that children with siblings have better social skills than children who grow up as an only child.This is an example of an experimental study.

Question 54

You are instructed to subtract 4 points from each score,square the resulting value,and find the sum of the squared numbers.How would this set of instructions be expressed in summation notation?

A)ΣX - 4²
B)(ΣX - 4)²
C)Σ(X - 4)²
D)ΣX² - 4

Question 55

What is the value of ΣX + 1 for the scores 1,6,3?

A)10
B)11
C)13
D)16

Question 56

What is the value of (ΣX)² for the scores 1,0,2,4?

A)14
B)21
C)28
D)49

Question 57

Using the election results from a sample of n = 100 voters to predict the results for the entire state is an example of inferential statistics.

Question 58

Using the average score to describe a sample is an example of inferential statistics.

Question 59

What is the value of Σ(X - 2)for the scores 2,3,5?

A)4
B)6
C)8
D)10

Question 60

What is the value of Σ(X - 1)² for the scores 1,2,1,4?

A)10
B)16
C)36
D)49

Question 61

The final step in computing Σ(X + 1)² is to square the sum of the (X + 1)values.

Question 62

If a researcher measures two individuals on a nominal scale,it is impossible to determine which individual has the larger score.

Question 63

For the following scores,Σ(X - 1)= 10.

Question 64

For the following scores,ΣX² = 35.

Question 65

If a researcher measures two individuals on an ordinal scale,it is impossible to determine how much difference exists between the two people.

Question 66

For the following scores,Σ(X + 1)= 9.

Question 67

A discrete variable must be measured on a nominal or an ordinal scale.

Question 68

A data set is described as consisting of n = 15 scores.Based on the notation being used,the data set is a sample.

Question 69

The first step in computing Σ(X + 1)is to add 1 point to each score.

Question 70

For the following scores,Σ(X + 1)² = 81.

Question 71

Classifying people into two groups on the basis of gender is an example of measurement on an ordinal scale.

Question 72

A high school gym teacher records how much time each student requires to complete a one-mile run.This is an example of measuring a continuous variable.

Question 73

For statistical purposes,there usually is not much reason to differentiate between interval and ratio scales.

Question 74

For the following scores, $\Sigma$ X² = ( $\Sigma$ X)².

Question 75

Statistical techniques are classified into two major categories: descriptive and inferential.Describe the general purpose of each category.

Question 76

In an introductory theater class,the professor records each student's favorite movie from the previous year.The teacher is measuring a discrete variable.

Question 77

To compute ΣX²,you first add the scores,then square the total.

Question 78

For the following scores,ΣX² = 49.

Question 79

To determine how much difference there is between two individuals,you must use either an interval or a ratio scale of measurement.

Question 80

Recording the number of text messages you receive each day would be an example of measuring a discrete variable.