Chapter 3 Terms

Question 1

How can we tell whether two variables are linearly or
nonlinearly related?

Answer 1

If the data points appear to fall approximately along a straight line, this indicates a linear relation.

If the data form a line that changes direction along its
path, a nonlinear relation may be present.

Question 2

What is a bar graph?

Answer 2

Bar graphs are visual depictions of data when the
independent variable is nominal and the dependent variable is scale. Each bar typically represents the mean value of the dependent variable for each category.

Question 3

What is a Pareto chart?

Answer 3

A Pareto chart is a specific type of bar graph in which the categories along the x-axis are ordered from highest bar on the left to lowest bar on the right.

Question 4

What are pictoral graphs?

Answer 4

A pictorial graph is a visual depiction of data typically used for a nominal independent variable with very few levels (categories) and a scale dependent variable. Each category uses a picture or symbol to represent its value on the scale dependent variable.

Question 5

What are pie charts?

Answer 5

A pie chart is a graph in the shape of a circle with a slice for every category. The size of each slice represents the proportion (or percentage) of each category. In most cases, a bar graph is preferable to a pictorial graph or a pie chart.

Question 6

What are the 3 types of chartjunk?

Answer 6

1. Moiré vibrations
2. Grids
3. Ducks

Question 7

What are Moiré vibrations?

Answer 7

Moiré vibrations are any patterns that computers provide as options to fill in bars or other elements of a graph.

Question 8

What are grids (in reference to one of the types of chartjunk)?

Answer 8

Grids refer to a background pattern, almost like graph paper, on which the data representations, such as bars, are superimposed.

Question 9

What are ducks (in reference to one of the types of chartjunk)?

Answer 9

Ducks are features of the data that have been dressed up to be something other than merely data.

Question 10

Alumni giving rates calculated as the number of alumni
who donated and the number who did not donate in a given year represent what kind of variable—nominal, ordinal, or scale?

Answer 10

Nominal

Question 11

If you wanted to depict the mean age for each of two groups of alumni, what would be an appropriate graph?

Answer 11

bar graph

Question 12

What is a linear relation?

Answer 12

A relation between variables that is
best described by a straight line.

Question 13

What is a non-linear relation?

Answer 13

A relation between variables that is best described by a line that breaks or curves in some way

Question 14

What is missing from the axis in this graph?

Answer 14

The y-axis should go down to 0

Question 15

What is false face validility?

Answer 15

False face validity occurs whenever we present data as a valid measure, when it is not actually valid.

Question 16

What is a biased scale lie?

Answer 16

When the scale we are using is biased, it will lead to biased results.

Question 17

How is the “sneak sample” defined?

Answer 17

A sneaky sample lie occurs when data is collected using a biased sample (i.e., one that is not representative of the population).

Question 18

What is an extrapolation lie?

Answer 18

The extrapolation lie concerns the false belief that predictions about the future will occur with 100 percent certainty.

Question 19

What is an inaccurate values lie?

Answer 19

The inaccurate value lie occurs when the data points are graphed using different scales.

Such as in a pictoral graph

Question 20

What is an outright lie?

Answer 20

The outright lie occurs when researchers make up their data.