Statistical Methods

Question 1

What are the two types of statistics used to report research results?

1) Quantitative and qualitative
2) Descriptive and inferential
3) Empirical and theoretical
4) Primary and secondary

Answer 1

Descriptive and inferential

Question 2

What is the primary purpose of descriptive statistics?

1) Testing hypotheses about the population
2) Summarising data graphically and numerically
3) Identifying causal relationships between variables
4) Conducting advanced inferential analyses

Answer 2

Summarising data graphically and numerically

Question 3

What is Occam’s Razor?

1) A principle that the most complex solution is the best
2) A guideline that the simplest solution is often the correct one
3) A method of evaluating correlation coefficients
4) A statistical test used for hypothesis validation

Answer 3

A guideline that the simplest solution is often the correct one

Question 4

What does it mean for a theory to be falsifiable?

1) It cannot be proven wrong under any circumstances
2) It includes multiple variables and outcomes
3) It can be tested and potentially proven wrong
4) It is based on empirical data rather than assumptions

Answer 4

It can be tested and potentially proven wrong

Question 5

What is the first step in the research process after identifying a theory?

1) Collecting data
2) Generating a hypothesis and identifying variables
3) Conducting a statistical test
4) Writing a research report

Answer 5

Generating a hypothesis and identifying variables

Question 6

What was the main critique of Samuel Morton’s cranial size studies?

1) He used incorrect statistical techniques
2) His results reflected unconscious bias and flawed data collection
3) He failed to publish his data for peer review
4) His study focused exclusively on social differences

Answer 6

His results reflected unconscious bias and flawed data collection

Question 7

What did the Human Genome Project conclude about human genetics in 2003?

1) Humans are genetically 99.9% identical
2) Significant genetic differences exist between racial groups
3) Genetics play no role in coronary heart disease
4) Social inequalities have no genetic basis

Answer 7

Humans are genetically 99.9% identical

Question 8

Why is it important to adjust for social demographics in research?

1) To eliminate all differences between groups
2) To ensure differences reflect true biological factors
3) To account for social, rather than biological, disparities
4) To justify genetic explanations for group differences

Answer 8

To account for social, rather than biological, disparities

Question 9

What was misleading about Colgate’s 2008 advertising claim?

1) It failed to mention the sample size of the study
2) The original survey did not specifically ask about Colgate
3) It used truncated axes on its graphs
4) It relied entirely on self-reported data

Answer 9

The original survey did not specifically ask about Colgate

Question 10

What is a common misuse of correlation in statistics?

1) Assuming it implies causation
2) Using it for categorical data
3) Reporting the results without p-values
4) Comparing more than two variables simultaneously

Answer 10

Assuming it implies causation

Question 11

What issue arises with truncated axes in graph presentations?

1) They reduce the readability of the graph
2) They exaggerate differences, making small changes appear significant
3) They omit necessary labels on the x-axis
4) They fail to include outliers in the dataset

Answer 11

They exaggerate differences, making small changes appear significant

Question 12

Why is it important to critically evaluate media reports using statistics?

1) Media always manipulates statistical data
2) To ensure the data accurately supports the claims being made
3) To disregard statistics entirely in public reports
4) To replicate the study using the same data

Answer 12

To ensure the data accurately supports the claims being made

Question 13

What should be included when writing a research report after data analysis?

1) The raw data in its entirety
2) Descriptive and inferential statistics summarising findings
3) Graphs without labels or axes
4) Only significant p-values

Answer 13

Descriptive and inferential statistics summarising findings

Question 14

What transferable skill can statistics provide in careers outside academia?

1) Advanced programming expertise
2) The ability to analyse and interpret data in various fields
3) Expertise in public speaking
4) Proficiency in designing software

Answer 14

The ability to analyse and interpret data in various fields

Question 15

Why is it important to acknowledge historical misuses of statistics?

1) To discredit the field of statistics
2) To avoid repeating mistakes and learn ethical research practices
3) To highlight flaws in modern statistical software
4) To promote the rejection of quantitative methods

Answer 15

To avoid repeating mistakes and learn ethical research practices

Question 16

What does inferential statistics allow researchers to do?

1) Summarise data from a population
2) Make inferences about a population based on a sample
3) Compare qualitative and quantitative variables
4) Visualise large datasets effectively

Answer 16

Make inferences about a population based on a sample

Question 17

What is the role of ethical approval in the research process?

1) To eliminate errors in statistical testing
2) To ensure the research adheres to ethical standards for participants
3) To validate the research findings for publication
4) To ensure accurate data collection methods

Answer 17

To ensure the research adheres to ethical standards for participants

Question 18

What does the phrase “correlation does not imply causation” caution against?

1) Using correlation for hypothesis testing
2) Interpreting correlations as evidence of causal relationships
3) Applying correlation techniques to qualitative data
4) Reporting p-values without proper context

Answer 18

Interpreting correlations as evidence of causal relationships

Question 19

What is the first step in conducting statistical analysis?

1) Write a research report
2) Choose and conduct a statistical test
3) Design the study and collect data
4) Generate hypotheses and identify variables

Answer 19

Design the study and collect data

Question 20

What can we learn from examples of modern misuse of statistics in advertising?

1) Misleading claims often rely on flawed interpretations of data
2) Advertisements are required to present detailed statistical methods
3) Public reports always use accurate and well-labeled graphs
4) Misleading advertisements are rare and inconsequential

Answer 20

Misleading claims often rely on flawed interpretations of data