Question 1

An ethical data analyst would be least likely to
A)check data for accuracy.
B)cite his/her data sources and their limitations.
C)acknowledge sources of financial support.
D)rely on consultants for all calculations.

Accepted Answer

Relying on consultants for all calculations can be a potential ethical issue as it may lead to biased or inaccurate results. An ethical data analyst should have the necessary skills and expertise to perform the calculations themselves and should only seek help from consultants when needed. Checking data for accuracy, citing sources and their limitations, and acknowledging sources of financial support are all important ethical practices in data analysis.

Question 2

"Bob didn't wear his lucky T-shirt to class,so he failed his chemistry exam." This best illustrates which fallacy?
A)Small sample generalization
B)Poor survey methods
C)Post hoc reasoning
D)More than one of the above

Accepted Answer

This is an example of post hoc reasoning, where it is assumed that the lack of the lucky T-shirt caused Bob to fail the exam, despite there being no actual causal relationship between the two events.

Question 3

Established risk factors such as cholesterol and obesity can predict who will get heart disease about 80 percent of the time.Adding a new test called CRP can raise this percentage to 81 percent-a statistically significant difference.But would this improvement be of practical importance to a physician? To a patient? Discuss.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Established risk factors such as cholesterol and...

Question 4

A good data analyst
A)removes data if so instructed by client.
B)works alone to avoid team conflicts.
C)communicates with numbers rather than with graphs.
D)reports findings that may contradict client's ideas.

Accepted Answer

A good data analyst should be able to objectively analyze data and report findings, even if they may contradict the client's ideas or expectations. This allows for a more accurate and reliable interpretation of the data. Removing data if instructed by the client may lead to biased results. Working alone and communicating only with numbers may hinder collaboration and understanding with the client or team.

Question 5

"Circulation fell in the month after the new editor took over the newspaper Oxnard News Herald.The new editor should be fired." Which is not a serious fallacy in this conclusion?
A)Generalizing from a small sample
B)Applying post hoc reasoning
C)Failing to identify causes
D)Using a biased sample

Accepted Answer

The statement does not mention using a biased sample as part of its reasoning. The other options (A, B, C) are potential fallacies in the argument presented.

Question 6

Which is not a reason for an average student to study statistics?
A)Improve technical writing skills
B)Gain information management skills
C)Enhance technical literacy
D)Learn stock market strategies

Accepted Answer

Learning stock market strategies is not a typical reason for an average student to study statistics. The other options listed (improving technical writing skills, gaining information management skills, and enhancing technical literacy) are all potential benefits of studying statistics that could be relevant to a variety of academic and professional pursuits.

Question 7

"Tom's SUV rolled over.SUVs are dangerous." This best illustrates which fallacy?
A)Unconscious bias
B)Significance versus practical importance
C)Post hoc reasoning
D)Small sample generalization

Accepted Answer

The statement generalizes that SUVs are dangerous based on a single incident involving Tom's SUV, which is a classic example of small sample generalization. It incorrectly assumes that what is true for one case is true for all similar cases without sufficient evidence.

Question 8

Bob said,"Since statistics cannot tell for certain whether one thing caused another,there is no point in even reporting probabilities." Argue both for and against Bob's statement.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Bob said,"Since statistics cannot tell for certain...

Question 9

How might statistics be useful in determining the correct width of doorways in a convalescent care facility so that 99 percent of the "typical" wheelchairs can pass through the doorway without coming closer than 6 inches on either side?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How might statistics be useful in determining...

Question 10

Which is not a likely task of descriptive statistics?
A)Summarizing a sample
B)Describing data numerically
C)Estimating unknown parameters
D)Making visual displays of data

Accepted Answer

Eestimating unknown parameters is a task of inferential statistics, not descriptive statistics. Descriptive statistics involves summarizing and describing data that is already known, while inferential statistics involves making inferences and predictions about populations based on sample data.

Question 11

Which is not an analytical method commonly used to improve business decisions?
A)Descriptive analytics.
B)Predictive analytics.
C)Prescriptive analytics.
D)Reactive analytics.

Accepted Answer

Reactive analytics is not a commonly used analytical method to improve business decisions. This is because reactive analytics means analyzing and responding to an event that has already occurred, rather than taking proactive measures to prevent it from happening in the first place. Descriptive analytics, predictive analytics, and prescriptive analytics are commonly used methods to improve business decisions. Descriptive analytics helps to understand past and current data, predictive analytics helps to make informed predictions about the future, and prescriptive analytics provides recommendations on what actions to take based on the data.

Question 12

Bob said,"Why study math and statistics? I'm majoring in human resources because it's people that are important in business,not numbers." Argue both for and against Bob's statement.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Bob said,"Why study math and statistics? I'm...

Question 13

We would associate the term inferential statistics with which task?
A)Making visual displays of data
B)Estimating unknown parameters
C)Describing a sample of data
D)Tabulating a survey

Accepted Answer

Inferential statistics involves using sample data to make inferences about the population, specifically in estimating unknown parameters such as mean, variance, or proportion. Making visual displays, describing a sample, and tabulating a survey are all examples of descriptive statistics.

Question 14

Which is not a likely area of application of statistics in business?
A)Auditing supplier invoices for correct payment
B)Questioning the executives' strategic decisions
C)Looking for patterns in a large marketing database
D)Making forecasts of several key product lines

Accepted Answer

It is not likely for statistics to be used for questioning the executives' strategic decisions. While statistics can provide insights and data to support decision-making, ultimately strategic decisions are made by the executives based on a variety of factors beyond just numerical analysis.

Quiz 1: Overview of Statistics

An ethical data analyst would be least likely to

"Bob didn't wear his lucky T-shirt to class,so he failed his chemistry exam." This best illustrates which fallacy?

A good data analyst

"Circulation fell in the month after the new editor took over the newspaper Oxnard News Herald.The new editor should be fired." Which is not a serious fallacy in this conclusion?

Which is not a reason for an average student to study statistics?

"Tom's SUV rolled over.SUVs are dangerous." This best illustrates which fallacy?

Bob said,"Since statistics cannot tell for certain whether one thing caused another,there is no point in even reporting probabilities." Argue both for and against Bob's statement.

How might statistics be useful in determining the correct width of doorways in a convalescent care facility so that 99 percent of the "typical" wheelchairs can pass through the doorway without coming closer than 6 inches on either side?

Which is not a likely task of descriptive statistics?

Which is not an analytical method commonly used to improve business decisions?

Bob said,"Why study math and statistics? I'm majoring in human resources because it's people that are important in business,not numbers." Argue both for and against Bob's statement.

We would associate the term inferential statistics with which task?

Which is not a likely area of application of statistics in business?