Question 1

Melissa is using the three measures of central tendency,which is a type of
A) nominal scale.
B) ordinal scale.
C) descriptive statistic.
D) inferential statistic.

Accepted Answer

The three measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode) are a common type of descriptive statistic used to summarize and describe a data set. Therefore, the correct answer is C, descriptive statistic. The other options are not related to the concept of central tendency.

Question 2

Which of the following consists of techniques for presenting numbers pictorially,often by plotting them on a histogram or frequency polygon?
A) graphical statistics
B) inferential statistics
C) figural statistics
D) nominal statistics

Accepted Answer

Graphical statistics refers to techniques for presenting numbers pictorially, often by plotting them on a histogram or frequency polygon. Inferential statistics involves making inferences about a population based on sample data, figural statistics is not a recognized term in statistics, and nominal statistics deals with categorical data.

Question 3

Measures of variability belong to which of the following?
A) nominal scales
B) ordinal scales
C) descriptive statistics
D) inferential statistics

Accepted Answer

Measures of variability are a type of descriptive statistics that measure the degree of dispersion or spread of a set of data. They include measures such as range, variance, and standard deviation. Variability is an important aspect of data analysis as it helps to identify the diversity or uniformity within the data set. Nominal and ordinal scales are types of measurement scales, while inferential statistics deals with making inferences or predictions about a population based on sample data.

Question 4

Descriptive statistics are helpful in doing all of the following EXCEPT
A) making numerical information more meaningful.
B) communicating numerical data to other people.
C) drawing conclusions from small samples.
D) summarizing large amounts of data.

Accepted Answer

Descriptive statistics cannot reliably draw conclusions from small samples, as they are meant to summarize larger amounts of data. Inferential statistics are better suited for making conclusions from small samples.

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT one of the three types of descriptive statistics?
A) graphical statistics
B) inferential statistics
C) measures of central tendency
D) measures of variability

Accepted Answer

The three types of descriptive statistics are measures of central tendency (e.g. mean, median, mode), measures of variability (e.g. range, standard deviation), and graphical statistics (e.g. histograms, scatterplots). Inferential statistics, on the other hand, use sample data to make generalizations about an entire population.

Question 6

Inferential statistics are used to
A) "boil down" numbers.
B) summarize numbers.
C) calculate measures of central tendency.
D) generalize from small samples.

Accepted Answer

Inferential statistics are used to make generalizations and draw conclusions about a larger population based on a smaller sample. This involves using statistical tests and confidence intervals to estimate the likelihood that the results obtained from the sample are representative of the larger population. Therefore, the correct answer is D, generalize from small samples.

Question 7

Frequency distributions provide a method of
A) organizing data and summarizing data.
B) extracting data from samples.
C) making inferences.
D) measuring z-scores.

Accepted Answer

Frequency distributions are a way to categorize and organize data into groups or bins, and display the frequency or count of observations within each group. This allows for a summary of the data that can provide insights into patterns, trends, or characteristics of the data set. It does not involve extracting data from samples, making inferences, or measuring z-scores.

Question 8

Graphical statistics fall into the category of
A) nominal scales.
B) ordinal scales.
C) descriptive statistics.
D) inferential statistics.

Accepted Answer

Graphical statistics are a form of descriptive statistics, which involves organizing and summarizing data using graphs, charts, and tables. Descriptive statistics are used to describe and summarize the main features of a dataset, such as central tendency, variability, and the shape of the distribution. Nominal and ordinal scales, on the other hand, are types of measurement scales used in statistics to categorize data based on characteristics or attributes, and inferential statistics are used to draw conclusions or make predictions about a population based on a sample.

Question 9

Graphical statistics,measures of central tendency,and measures of variability are the three basic types of __________statistics.
A) nominal
B) inferential
C) descriptive
D) ordinal

Accepted Answer

Graphical statistics, measures of central tendency, and measures of variability are all components of descriptive statistics, which is concerned with describing and summarizing data. Nominal and ordinal statistics are more specific types of data measurement and are not as comprehensive as descriptive statistics. Inferential statistics is focused on making inferences and predictions about a population based on a sample, and is a separate type of statistical analysis.

Question 10

Which type of statistics are used for decision-making,for generalizing from small samples,and for drawing conclusions?
A) descriptive
B) inferential
C) nominal
D) ordinal

Accepted Answer

Inferential statistics are used for decision-making, generalizing from small samples, and drawing conclusions. Descriptive statistics, on the other hand, are used to describe and summarize data. Nominal and ordinal statistics are types of variables used in data analysis, but they do not refer to the type of statistics used for decision-making and drawing conclusions.

Question 11

Which type of statistics are used to summarize large amounts of data so that they become more meaningful and easier to communicate to others?
A) descriptive
B) inferential
C) nominal
D) ordinal

Accepted Answer

Descriptive statistics are used to summarize large amounts of data in a meaningful and easy-to-communicate format, such as through measures of central tendency and variability. Inferential statistics involve making inferences about a population based on a sample, and nominal and ordinal statistics refer to types of data measurement.

Question 12

Regarding statistics,which of the following statements is FALSE?
A) Statistics help us draw valid conclusions about what we have observed.
B) Statistics bring greater clarity and precision to psychological thought and research.
C) There are two major types of statistics: frequency and graphical.
D) Psychologists use statistics because they often have to base decisions on a limited amount of data.

Accepted Answer

There are not just two types of statistics, but rather many types including descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, and parametric and non-parametric statistics. Frequency and graphical statistics are subsets of descriptive statistics.

Question 13

Regarding frequency distributions,which of the following statements is FALSE?
A) The entire range of possible scores is broken down into classes of equal size.
B) Scores are often expressed graphically to make them more "visual."
C) Scores are listed in random order.
D) Large amounts of numerical information can be clearly organized.

Accepted Answer

Scores in frequency distributions are listed in orderly and systematic manner, typically in ascending or descending order. This makes it easier to interpret and comprehend the distribution of scores. Therefore, the statement "scores are listed in random order" is false.

Question 14

Jan is summarizing numerical data by finding the mean,median,and mode for this set of data. She is most likely using __________ statistics.
A) descriptive
B) ordinal
C) inferential
D) nominal

Accepted Answer

Descriptive statistics are used to summarize and describe numerical data, such as finding the mean, median, and mode. Ordinal statistics are used for ranking data, inferential statistics are used to make predictions about a population based on a sample, and nominal statistics are used for categorical data.

Question 15

A psychologist concludes his method would be effective for teaching math to all third graders on the basis of testing it on a selected group of third graders with a control group for comparison.He is making use of
A) descriptive statistics.
B) correlations.
C) inferential statistics.
D) z-scores.

Accepted Answer

The psychologist is using inferential statistics to draw conclusions about the effectiveness of his method for teaching math to all third graders based on the results from a selected group of third graders and a control group. Inferential statistics are used to make generalizations about a population based on data from a sample.

Question 16

In order to make decisions regarding the best reading program to use,Hope will be generalizing from the results of small samples of students.Hope is using __________
Statistics.
A) descriptive
B) ordinal
C) inferential
D) nominal

Accepted Answer

Hope is using inferential statistics because she is making decisions about the entire population of students based on a small sample of students. Descriptive statistics would only describe the characteristics of the small sample, while inferential statistics would help generalize to the larger population. Ordinal and nominal statistics deal with categorizing data and do not apply in this context.

Question 17

After administering a unit test to her psychology students,a college professor calculates the mean and range for this test in order to better understand the performance of her students on the material in this unit.This professor is using __________statistics.
A) descriptive
B) inferential
C) nominal
D) ordinal

Accepted Answer

Descriptive statistics are used to describe and summarize the data, which is what the professor is doing by calculating the mean and range of the test results. Inferential statistics, on the other hand, are used to make inferences about a larger population based on a sample and require more complex calculations. Nominal and ordinal statistics involve categorizing data into discrete categories and ranking them, respectively, which is not relevant to the scenario described.

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT an example of the use of graphical statistics?
A) breaking down a set of math test scores into classes of equal size
B) drawing a histogram based on a set of scores from a personality questionnaire
C) graphing a set of IQ scores using a frequency polygon
D) generalizing from small samples to a larger population

Accepted Answer

Generalizing from small samples to a larger population is not an example of graphical statistics. It is a form of inferential statistics that uses mathematical models and probability theory to make predictions about a population based on a sample. Graphical statistics, on the other hand, involve using graphs and charts to visually represent data and patterns in the data. Choices A, B, and C are all examples of graphical statistics.

Question 19

Graphical statistics
A) present numbers in a pictorial format.
B) numerically describe a "typical" score in a distribution.
C) show the arithmetic average of a set of data.
D) indicate how scores differ from each other numerically.

Accepted Answer

Graphical statistics are used to present data visually, making it easier to understand patterns, trends, and outliers in the data.

Question 20

Which of the following is made by breaking down the entire range of possible scores into classes of equal size and then recording the number of scores falling into each class?
A) scatter diagram
B) variability plot
C) correlational matrix
D) frequency distribution

Accepted Answer

A frequency distribution is a method of displaying how often each value or range of values of a variable appears in a data set by breaking down the entire range of possible scores into classes of equal size and recording the number of scores falling into each class. It is a useful way of summarizing and presenting numerical data.

Quiz 19: Appendix A: Behavioral Statistics

Melissa is using the three measures of central tendency,which is a type of

Which of the following consists of techniques for presenting numbers pictorially,often by plotting them on a histogram or frequency polygon?

Measures of variability belong to which of the following?

Descriptive statistics are helpful in doing all of the following EXCEPT

Which of the following is NOT one of the three types of descriptive statistics?

Inferential statistics are used to

Frequency distributions provide a method of

Graphical statistics fall into the category of

Graphical statistics,measures of central tendency,and measures of variability are the three basic types of __________statistics.

Which type of statistics are used for decision-making,for generalizing from small samples,and for drawing conclusions?

Which type of statistics are used to summarize large amounts of data so that they become more meaningful and easier to communicate to others?

Regarding statistics,which of the following statements is FALSE?

Regarding frequency distributions,which of the following statements is FALSE?

Jan is summarizing numerical data by finding the mean,median,and mode for this set of data. She is most likely using __________ statistics.

A psychologist concludes his method would be effective for teaching math to all third graders on the basis of testing it on a selected group of third graders with a control group for comparison.He is making use of

In order to make decisions regarding the best reading program to use,Hope will be generalizing from the results of small samples of students.Hope is using __________ Statistics.

After administering a unit test to her psychology students,a college professor calculates the mean and range for this test in order to better understand the performance of her students on the material in this unit.This professor is using __________statistics.

Which of the following is NOT an example of the use of graphical statistics?

Graphical statistics

Which of the following is made by breaking down the entire range of possible scores into classes of equal size and then recording the number of scores falling into each class?