Chapter 1 - Statistical & Critical Thinking

Question 1

Data

Answer 1

Collections of observations, such as measurements, genders, or survey responses.

Question 2

Statistics

Answer 2

The science of planning studies and experiments; obtaining data, and then organizing, summarizing, presenting, analyzing, and interpreting those data and then drawing conclusions based on them.

Question 3

Population

Answer 3

The complete collection of all measurements of data that are being considered.

Question 4

Census

Answer 4

The collection of data from every member of the population.

Question 5

Sample

Answer 5

A subcollection of members selected from a population.

Question 6

Voluntary Response Sample

Answer 6

A sample in which the respondents themselves decide whether to be included.

Question 7

Parameter

Answer 7

A numerical measurement describing some characteristic of a population.

Question 8

Statistic

Answer 8

A numerical measurement describing some characteristic of a sample.

Question 9

Quantitative

Answer 9

Data that consists of numbers representing counts or measurements.

Question 10

Qualitative

Answer 10

Data that consist of names or labels that are not numbers representing counts or measurements.

Question 11

Discrete Data

Answer 11

Data values that are quantitative and the number of values is finite or “countable”

Question 12

Continuous Data

Answer 12

Result from infinitely many possible quantitative values, where the collection of values is not countable.

Question 13

Nominal Level of Measurement

Answer 13

Characterized by data that consist of names, labels, or categories only.

Question 14

Ordinal Level of Measurement

Answer 14

Data can be arranged in some order, but differences (obtained by subtraction) between data values either cannot be determined or are meaningless.

Question 15

Interval Level of Measurement

Answer 15

Data can be arranged in some order and the differences between data values can be found and are meaningful. NO NATURAL ZERO!!

Question 16

Ratio Level of Measurement

Answer 16

Data can be arranged in order, differences can be found and are meaningful, and there is a natural zero - ratios meaningful as well.

Question 17

Observational Study

Answer 17

Study in which we observe and measure specific characteristics, but we don’t attempt to modify the subjects being studied.

Question 18

Experiment

Answer 18

A treatment is applied and then we proceed to observe its effects on the subjects.

Question 19

Simple Random Sample

Answer 19

A simple random sample of n subjects is selected in such a way that every possible sample of the same size n has the same chance of being chosen.

Question 20

Random Sampling

Answer 20

Each member of the population has an equal chance of being selected.

Question 21

Systematic Sampling

Answer 21

Select some starting point, then select every kth (such as every 50th) element in the population.

Question 22

Convenience Sampling

Answer 22

Use results that are easiest to get.

Question 23

Stratified Sampling

Answer 23

Subdivide the population into at least two different subgroups (or strata) so that subjects within the same subgroup share the same characteristics (such as gender or age bracket), then draw a sample from each subgroup.

Question 24

Cluster Sampling

Answer 24

Divide the population into sections (or clusters), then randomly select some of those clusters, and then choose all members from those selected clusters.

Question 25

Cross-Sectional Study

Answer 25

Data are observed, measured, and collected at one point in time, not over a period of time.

Question 26

Retrospective Study

Answer 26

Data are collected from a past time period by going back in time (through examination of records, interviews, and so on.)

Question 27

Prospective Study

Answer 27

Data are collected in the future from groups that share common factors (such groups are called cohorts).

Question 28

Confounding

Answer 28

Occurs in an experiment when the investigators are not able to distinguish among the effects of different factors.

Question 29

Sampling Error

Answer 29

Occurs when the sample has been selected with a random method, but there is a discrepancy between a sample result and the true population result; such an error results from chance sample fluctuations.

Question 30

Nonsampling Error

Answer 30

The result of human error, including such factors as wrong data entries, computing errors, questions with biased wording, false data provided by respondents, forming biased conclusions, or applying statistical methods that are not appropriate for the circumstances.

Question 31

Nonrandom Sampling Error

Answer 31

The result of using a sampling method that is not random, such as using a convenience sample or voluntary response sample.