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Ch. 1 - Introduction to Statistics
Triola - Elementary Statistics 14th Edition
Triola14th EditionElementary StatisticsISBN: 9780137366446Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksTriola 14th EditionCh. 1 - Introduction to StatisticsProblem 1.2.4.c
Chapter 1, Problem 1.2.4.c

E-Cigarette Survey In a survey of 36,000 adults, 3.7% said that they regularly use E-cigarettes (based on data from the National Center for Health Statistics)


c. What is the level of measurement of the value of 3.7%? (nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio)

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1
Understand the four levels of measurement: nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio. Nominal involves categories without a specific order, ordinal involves categories with a specific order, interval involves numerical values with meaningful differences but no true zero, and ratio involves numerical values with meaningful differences and a true zero.
Identify the type of data represented by the percentage 3.7%. This percentage represents a proportion of the surveyed population that regularly uses E-cigarettes.
Consider whether the percentage 3.7% can be categorized, ordered, or measured with meaningful differences and a true zero point.
Recognize that percentages are numerical values that can be compared with meaningful differences and have a true zero point (0% means none of the population uses E-cigarettes).
Conclude that the level of measurement for the value 3.7% is 'ratio' because it is a numerical value with a true zero point and meaningful differences.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Levels of Measurement

Levels of measurement refer to the different ways in which variables can be categorized and quantified. There are four primary levels: nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio. Each level has distinct characteristics that determine how data can be analyzed and interpreted. Understanding these levels is crucial for selecting appropriate statistical methods and accurately interpreting results.
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Ratio Level of Measurement

The ratio level of measurement is the highest level of measurement, characterized by the presence of a true zero point and the ability to perform meaningful mathematical operations. In this level, both differences and ratios between values are meaningful. For example, a percentage like 3.7% can be interpreted in terms of proportions, making it a ratio measurement since it can be compared to zero (indicating no usage).
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Percentage as a Measurement

A percentage is a way of expressing a number as a fraction of 100, which allows for easy comparison across different groups or categories. In the context of survey data, percentages help quantify the prevalence of a characteristic, such as E-cigarette usage. Understanding how to interpret percentages is essential for analyzing survey results and making informed conclusions about the population being studied.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

Sampling Method Assume that the population consists of all students currently in your statistics class. Describe how to obtain a sample of six students so that the result is a sample of the given type.


e. Convenience sample

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Textbook Question

Discrete/Continuous Data Which of the following describe discrete data

c. The exact times that randomly selected students spend on smart phones during the preceding week

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Textbook Question

Countable For each of the following, categorize the nature of the data using one of these three descriptions: (1) discrete because the number of possible values is finite; (2) discrete because the number of possible values is infinite but countable; (3) continuous because the number of possible values is infinite and not countable.

c. The number of albums sold by the Monkees band

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Textbook Question

Sampling Method Assume that the population consists of all students currently in your statistics class. Describe how to obtain a sample of six students so that the result is a sample of the given type.


d. Cluster sample

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Textbook Question

Sampling Method Assume that the population consists of all students currently in your statistics class. Describe how to obtain a sample of six students so that the result is a sample of the given type.


c. Stratified sample

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