Question 1

Which of the following best describes the science of statistics?

Accepted Answer

The science of collecting, organizing, analyzing, and interpreting data in order to make decisions.

Question 2

A researcher wants to know the average cholesterol level of all adults in a city. She collects data from 500 randomly selected adults. In this context, what is the population?

Accepted Answer

All adults in the city.

Question 3

A survey of 1,200 college students found that 65% prefer online classes. Which of the following is a sample statistic?

Accepted Answer

65%

Question 4

Which of the following statements is an example of a population parameter?

Accepted Answer

The average SAT score of all high school seniors in the United States is 1050.

Question 5

In a study, 300 Wall Street analysts were surveyed, and 44% incorrectly forecasted high-tech earnings. What is the sample in this study?

Accepted Answer

The 300 Wall Street analysts surveyed.

Question 6

Which of the following best distinguishes between descriptive and inferential statistics?

Accepted Answer

Descriptive statistics summarize and display data; inferential statistics use data to draw conclusions about a population.

Question 7

A hospital administrator wants to know the average length of stay for all patients last year. She calculates the average from the records of all patients. What is this value called?

Accepted Answer

A population parameter

Question 8

Which of the following scenarios illustrates the use of inferential statistics?

Accepted Answer

Using data from a sample of 500 voters to predict the outcome of a national election.

Question 9

Suppose a study reports that the average time spent on athletics by student-athletes during their season is 50 hours per week, based on a survey of several hundred collegiate student-athletes. What is the correct classification of the value 50 hours per week?

Accepted Answer

Sample statistic

Question 10

A nutritionist wants to estimate the average daily calorie intake of teenagers in a country. She collects data from 1,000 teenagers and finds an average of 2,400 calories. Which of the following is the best example of an inference she might make?

Accepted Answer

Teenagers in the country, on average, consume about 2,400 calories per day.

Question 11

Which of the following best describes a sample?

Accepted Answer

A subset of the population.

Question 12

A study of 2,560 U.S. adults found that 23% of adults not using the Internet are from households earning less than $30,000 annually. Which part of this study is descriptive statistics?

Accepted Answer

The statement '23% of U.S. adults not using the Internet are from households earning less than $30,000 annually.'

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT an example of data?

Accepted Answer

A hypothesis about why people use social media.

Question 14

A random check of several hundred retail stores by the FDA found that 34% were not storing fish at the proper temperature. What is the 34% in this context?

Accepted Answer

A sample statistic

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the difference between a parameter and a statistic?

Accepted Answer

A parameter describes a population, while a statistic describes a sample.

Question 16

A company wants to know the average salary of all its employees. It surveys 100 randomly selected employees and finds an average salary of $55,000. Which of the following is true?

Accepted Answer

The $55,000 is a sample statistic.

Question 17

Which of the following is an example of using descriptive statistics in a real-world scenario?

Accepted Answer

Summarizing the number of COVID-19 cases reported each day in a city.

Question 18

A university reports that the average GPA of all its freshmen is 3.2. What type of value is 3.2 in this context?

Accepted Answer

Population parameter

Question 19

Which of the following best illustrates the use of statistics in making a real-world decision?

Accepted Answer

A city council uses survey data to decide whether to build a new park.

Question 20

A researcher collects data on the number of hours students study per week and uses this data to make predictions about future students' study habits. Which branches of statistics is she using?

Accepted Answer

Both descriptive and inferential statistics

Introduction to Statistics: Concepts, Data, and Branches

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