Chapter 1 - The Nature of Probability and Statistics

EXERCISE SET 1-1 5. Qualitative 7. Quantitative

1. Statistics is the science of conducting 9. Qualitative 11. Qualitative

studies to collect, organize, summarize,
analyze, and draw conclusions from data. 13. Continuous

3. In a census, the researchers collect data 15. Discrete

from all subjects in the population.
17. 6.5-7.5 feet
5. Descriptive statistics consists of the
collection, organization, summarization, and 19. 142.5-143.5 miles
presentation of data while inferential
statistics consists of generalizing from 21. 25.75-25.85 yards
samples to populations, performing
estimations and hypothesis testing, 23. Nominal 25. Ratio
determining relationships among variables,
and making predictions. 27. Ordinal 29. Ratio

7. Samples are used more than populations EXERCISE SET 1-3

both because populations are usually large
and because researchers are unable to use 1. Data can be collected by using telephone
every subject in the population. surveys, mail questionnaire surveys,
personal interview surveys, by taking a look
9. This is inferential because a at records, or by direct observation methods.
generalization is being made about the
population. 3. Random numbers are used in sampling so
that every subject in the population has an
11. This is a descriptive statistic. equal chance of being selected for a sample.
Random numbers can be generated by
13. This is an inferential statistic since a computers or calculators; however, there are
generalization about the population is being other ways of generating random numbers
made. such as using a random number table or
rolling dice.
15. This is a descriptive statistic since it is
based on an online survey of 500 students. 5. The population could be all adults in the
United States. A sample could have been
17. This is an inferential statistic since it is a selected by a mail survey. Answers will
generalization made from data obtained from vary.
a sample.
7. The population could be all pet owners in
19. Answers will vary. the United States. A sample could be
obtained by looking at veterinarians' records.
EXERCISE SET 1-2 However, these records would not include
pet owners who do not take their pets to
1. Qualitative variables are variables that veterinarians. Answers will vary.
can be placed in distinct categories
according to some characteristic or attribute 9. The population could be all adults in the
and cannot be ranked; while quantitative United States who develop diabetes during
variables are numerical in nature and can be 2012. The sample could be surveying
ordered or counted. patient records of these people to see if they
have been taking statins. Again, the privacy
3. Continuous variables need to be rounded rights must be considered. Answers will
because of the limits of the measuring vary.
device.
11. Systematic 13. Random

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 Chapter 1 - The Nature of Probability and Statistics

15. Cluster 13. continued

subjects are matched on some variable.
EXERCISE SET 1-4 Then one subject is randomly assigned to
one group, and the other subject is assigned
1. In an observational study, the researcher to the other group. In both types of studies,
observes what it happening and tries to draw the treatments can be randomly assigned to
conclusions based on the observations. In an the groups.
experimental study, the researcher
manipulates one of the variables and tries to 15. Experimental
determine how this influences the variables.
17. Observational
3. One advantage of an observational study
is that it can occur in a natural setting. In 19. Independent variable - minutes
addition, researchers can look at past exercising
instances of statistics and draw conclusions Dependent variable - catching a cold
from these situations. Another advantage is
that the researcher can use variables, such as 21. Independent variable - time spent in
drugs, that he or she cannot manipulate. meditation
One disadvantage is that since the variable Dependent variable - rational decisions
cannot be manipulated, a definite cause-and-
effect situation cannot be shown. Another 23. Age, income, socioeconomic status.
disadvantage is that these studies can be Answers will vary.
expensive and time-consuming. These
studies can also be influenced by 25. Wealth, age, education. Answers will
confounding variables. Finally, in these vary.
studies, the researcher sometimes needs to
rely on data collected by others. 27. How is a perfect body defined
statistically?
5. In an experimental study, the researcher
has control of the assignment of subjects to 29. How can 24 hours of pain relief be
the groups whereas in a quasi-experimental measured?
study, the researcher uses intact groups.
31. How much weight, if any, will be lost?
7. In research studies, a treatment group
subject receives a specific treatment while 33. Only 20 people were used in the study.
those in the control group do not receive a
treatment or are given a placebo. 35. It is meaningless since there is no
definition of "the road less traveled." Also,
9. A confounding variable is one that can there is no way to know that for every 100
influence the results of the research study women, 91 would say that they have taken
when no precautions were taken to eliminate "the road less traveled."
it from the study.
37. There is no mention of how this
11. Blinding is used to help eliminate the conclusion was obtained.
placebo effect. Here the subjects are given a
sugar pill that looks like the real medical 39. Since the word may is used, there is no
pill. The subjects do not know which pill guarantee that the product will help fight
they are getting. When double blinding cancer.
occurs, neither the subjects nor the
researchers are told who gets the real 41. No. There are many other factors that
treatment or the placebo. contribute to criminal behavior.

13. In a completely randomized design, the 43. Answers will vary.

subjects are assigned to the groups
randomly, whereas in a matched-pair design, 45. Answers will vary.

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 Chapter 1 - The Nature of Probability and Statistics

REVIEW EXERCISES - CHAPTER 1 51. Independent variable - thyme

Dependent variable - antioxidants
1. Inferential
53. A telephone survey won't contact all the
3. Descriptive types of people who shop online.

5. Inferential 55. People tend not to report their true

income.
7. Descriptive
57. It depends on how the Internet is used.
9. Ratio
CHAPTER QUIZ
11. Interval 1. True
2. True
13. Ratio 3. False, nonsampling error is the result of
collecting data incorrectly or selecting a
15. Ordinal biased sample.
4. False, it is stratified sampling.
17. Ratio 5. True
6. True
19. Qualitative 7. False, it is 5.5-6.5 inches.
8. c 9. b
21. Quantitative 10. d 11. a
12. c 13. a
23. Quantitative 14. Descriptive, inferential
15. Gambling, insurance. Answers can
25. Quantitative vary.
16. Population
27. Discrete 17. Sample

29. Discrete 18.

a. Saves time
31. Continuous b. Saves money
c. Use when population is infinite
33. Continuous
19.
35. 35.5-36.5 a. Random c. Cluster
b. Systematic d. Stratified
37. 72.55-72.65
20. Quasi-experimental
39. Cluster
21. Random
41. Random
22.
43. Stratified a. Descriptive d. Inferential
b. Inferential e. Inferential
45. Experimental c. Descriptive

47. Observational 23.

a. Nominal d. Interval
49. Independent variable - type of coffee b. Ratio e. Ratio
Dependent variable - milligrams of caffeine c. Ordinal
per ounce

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 Chapter 1 - The Nature of Probability and Statistics

24.
a. Continuous d. Continuous
b. Discrete e. Discrete
c. Continuous

25.
a. 31.5  32.5 minutes d. 18.5  19.5 pounds
b. 0.475  0.485 millimeter e. 12.05  12.15 quarts
c. 6.15  6.25 inches