A regional store manager wants to test whether increasing store hours increases profits, so they randomly select half of their locations to stay open an extra hour later in the evenings and compare profits between stores at the end of the month. They notice that stores open later saw higher profits on average. Is this an experiment or an observational study? Can they determine the extra hours caused the increase in sales?
Table of contents
- 1. Intro to Stats and Collecting Data55m
- 2. Describing Data with Tables and Graphs1h 55m
- 3. Describing Data Numerically1h 45m
- 4. Probability2h 16m
- 5. Binomial Distribution & Discrete Random Variables2h 33m
- 6. Normal Distribution and Continuous Random Variables1h 38m
- 7. Sampling Distributions & Confidence Intervals: Mean1h 53m
- 8. Sampling Distributions & Confidence Intervals: Proportion1h 12m
- 9. Hypothesis Testing for One Sample2h 19m
- 10. Hypothesis Testing for Two Samples3h 22m
- 11. Correlation1h 6m
- 12. Regression1h 4m
- 13. Chi-Square Tests & Goodness of Fit1h 20m
- 14. ANOVA1h 0m
1. Intro to Stats and Collecting Data
Intro to Collecting Data
Problem 1.1.7
Textbook Question
"Determine whether the statement is true or false. If it is false, rewrite it as a true statement.
It is impossible to obtain all the census data about the U.S. population."

1
Understand the statement: The statement claims that it is impossible to obtain all the census data about the U.S. population. Consider what 'census data' means and the challenges associated with collecting it.
Recall the definition of a census: A census is a complete enumeration of a population, where data is collected from every individual in the population.
Consider practical challenges: While a census aims to collect data from everyone, practical issues such as non-responses, inaccessible populations, and data entry errors can make it difficult to achieve 100% accuracy.
Evaluate the truth of the statement: Based on the challenges mentioned, it is generally true that obtaining all census data perfectly is impossible. However, the census can still provide a very close approximation of the population data.
Rewrite the statement if false: If the statement is deemed false, a true version could be: 'It is extremely difficult to obtain all the census data about the U.S. population due to practical challenges, but efforts are made to collect as much accurate data as possible.'

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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Census Data
Census data refers to the comprehensive collection of demographic information about a population, typically conducted at regular intervals by a government. In the U.S., the Census Bureau collects data on various aspects such as age, race, income, and housing. This data is crucial for policy-making, resource allocation, and understanding population trends.
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Introduction to Collecting Data
Sampling and Estimation
Sampling and estimation are statistical techniques used to infer characteristics of a larger population based on a smaller subset. While a complete census aims to gather data from every individual, practical limitations often necessitate sampling methods to estimate population parameters. Understanding these concepts helps clarify the feasibility of obtaining complete census data.
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Sampling Distribution of Sample Proportion
Data Collection Challenges
Data collection challenges encompass the various obstacles faced when gathering information from a population. These can include logistical issues, non-response bias, and the dynamic nature of populations. Recognizing these challenges is essential to understanding why complete census data may be difficult to achieve, even if it is not entirely impossible.
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Introduction to Collecting Data
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