Test Bank for Essentials of Statistics 7th Edition by Triola

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS COMPLETE Test Bank

Test Bank
 CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE COMPLETE Test Bank

MULTIPLE CHOICE. Choose the one alternative that best completes the statement or answers the question.

1) Determine whether the given description corresponds to an experiment or an observational study. A stock analyst
selects a stock from a group of twenty for investment by choosing the stock with the greatest earnings per share
reported for the last quarter.
A) Experiment B) Observational study
Answer: B

2) Identify which type of sampling is used. The name of each contestant is written on a separate card, the cards are
placed in a bag, and three names are picked from the bag.
A) Cluster
B) Simple Random
C) Convenience
D) Systematic
E) Stratified
Answer: B

3) Identify which type of sampling is used. To avoid working late, a quality control analyst simply inspects the first
100 items produced in a day.
A) Cluster
B) Systematic
C) Simple Random
D) Stratified
E) Convenience
Answer: E

4) An education expert is researching teaching methods and wishes to interview teachers from a particular school
district. She randomly selects ten schools from the district and interviews all of the teachers at the selected schools.
Does this sampling plan result in a random sample? Simple random sample? Explain.
A) No; no. The sample is not random because teachers in small schools are more likely to be selected than
teachers in larger schools. It is not a simple random sample because some samples are not possible, such as a
sample that includes teachers from schools that were not selected.
B) Yes; yes. The sample is random because all teachers have the same chance of being selected. It is a simple
random sample because all samples have the same chance of being selected.
C) No; yes. The sample is not random because teachers in small schools are more likely to be selected than
teachers in larger schools. It is a simple random sample because all samples have the same chance of being
selected.
D) Yes; no. The sample is random because all teachers have the same chance of being selected. It is not a simple
random sample because some samples are not possible, such as a sample that includes teachers from schools
that were not selected.
Answer: D

5) Identify the type of observational study used. A town obtains current employment data by polling 10,000 of its
citizens this month.
A) Prospective B) Cross-sectional C) Retrospective D) None of these
Answer: B

1
 CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE COMPLETE Test Bank

6) Determine whether the given value is a discrete or continuous variable. People are asked to state how many times
in the last month they visited their family doctor.
A) Discrete B) Continuous
Answer: A

7) Determine which of the four levels of measurement is most appropriate. Students' grades, A, B, or C, on a test.
A) Interval B) Ratio C) Ordinal D) Nominal
Answer: C

8) A tax auditor selects every 1000th income tax return that is received. Identify which of these types of sampling is
used.
A) Systematic
B) Simple Random
C) Convenience
D) Stratified
E) Cluster
Answer: A

9) Determine whether the given value is a statistic or a parameter. Thirty percent of all dog owners poop scoop after
their dog.
A) Statistic B) Parameter
Answer: B

10) Determine whether the given value is from a discrete or continuous data set. The time it takes a computer to
complete a task.
A) Discrete B) Continuous
Answer: B

11) On a test, 74% of the questions are answered correctly. If 111 questions are correct, how many questions are on the
test?
A) 37 questions B) 67 questions C) 82 questions D) 150 questions
Answer: D

12) Researchers collect data by interviewing athletes who have won Olympic gold medals from 1992 to 2016. Identify
the type of study.
A) Cross-sectional B) Retrospective C) Prospective D) None of these
Answer: B

2
 CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE COMPLETE Test Bank

13) A psychology student wishes to investigate differences in political opinions between business majors and political
science majors at her college. She randomly selects 100 students from the 260 business majors and 100 students
from the 180 political science majors. Does this sampling plan result in a random sample? Simple random sample?
Explain.
A) Yes; no. The sample is random because all students have the same chance of being selected. It is not a simple
random sample because some samples are not possible, such as a sample consisting of 50 business majors
and 150 political science majors.
B) No; yes. The sample is not random because political science majors have a greater chance of being selected
than business majors. It is a simple random sample because all samples of size 200 have the same chance of
being selected.
C) No; no. The sample is not random because political science majors have a greater chance of being selected
than business majors. It is not a simple random sample because some samples are not possible, such as a
sample consisting of 50 business majors and 150 political science majors.
D) Yes; yes. The sample is random because all students have the same chance of being selected. It is a simple
random sample because all samples of size 200 have the same chance of being selected.
Answer: C

14) Correlation does not imply ________.

A) linearity B) causation C) bias D) significance
Answer: B

15) There are many potential pitfalls that can cause problems when analyzing data. Which of these choices are not
classified as a potential pitfall?
A) Nonresponse B) Self-reported data
C) Order of survey questions D) Measured data
Answer: D

16) A management survey for a company surveyed 235 employees. 44.7% of the employees surveyed were females.
The number of males would be ________.
A) 13 B) 105
C) 130 D) Unable to determine
Answer: C

17) What type of data values are quantitative and the number of values is finite or countable?
A) Discrete B) Categorical C) Interval D) Continuous
Answer: A

18) A ________ is the collection of data from every member of the population.
A) placebo B) statistic C) sample D) census
Answer: D

19) A ________ is the complete collection of all measurements or data collected, whereas, a ________ is a subcollection
of members selected from the complete collection.
A) sample; population B) population; parameter
C) sample; census D) population; sample
Answer: D

3
 CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE COMPLETE Test Bank

20) The four levels of measurement that are commonly used for classifying data are ratio, ________, ________, and
________.
A) normal; ordinal; interval B) interval; normal; ordinary
C) nominal; ordinal; interval D) nominal; ordinal; categorical
Answer: C

21) Identify which type of sampling is used. A pollster uses a computer to generate 500 random numbers, then
interviews the voters corresponding to those numbers.
A) Random B) Systematic C) Stratified D) Convenience E) Cluster
Answer: A

22) Determine whether the given value is a statistic or a parameter. After taking the first exam, 15 of the students
dropped the class.
A) Statistic B) Parameter
Answer: B

23) Determine which of the four levels of measurement is most appropriate. Students' grades of A, B, or C, on a test.
A) Ordinal B) Interval C) Ratio D) Nominal
Answer: A

24) Determine which of the four levels of measurement is most appropriate. Level of satisfaction of survey
respondents.
A) Interval B) Ratio C) Ordinal D) Nominal
Answer: C

25) Identify which type of sampling is used. A tax auditor selects every 1000th income tax return that is received.
A) Random B) Cluster C) Stratified D) Systematic E) Convenience
Answer: D

26) Determine whether the given description corresponds to an observational study or an experiment. A political
pollster reports that his candidate has a 10% lead in the polls with 10% undecided.
A) Experiment B) Observational study
Answer: B

27) Identify the type of study used. A town obtains current employment data by polling 10,000 of its citizens this
month.
A) Prospective B) Cross-sectional C) Retrospective D) None of these
Answer: B

28) Determine whether the given description corresponds to an observational study or an experiment. A doctor gives a
new medication to half of his patients with the flu and a placebo to the other half of his patients with the flu.
A) Experiment B) Observational study
Answer: A

4
 CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE COMPLETE Test Bank

29) Identify which type of sampling is used. A research team wants to study the demographics of college students in
the United States using proportionate samples of students in majors reflecting actual U.S. percentages.
A) Convenience
B) Cluster
C) Systematic
D) Simple random
E) Stratified
Answer: E

30) A marijuana survey included 1610 responses from a list of approximately 241,500,000 adults in the United States
from which every 150,000th name was surveyed. Identify which of these types of sampling is used:
A) Simple random
B) Convenience
C) Stratified
D) Systematic
E) Cluster
Answer: D

31) A gardener has 75 clients, 45% of whom are businesses. Find the number of business clients.
A) 73 clients B) 36 clients C) 34 clients D) 41 clients
Answer: C

32) A marketing firm does a survey to find out how many people use a product. Of the one hundred people contacted,
fifteen said they use the product. Identify the type of study used.
A) Observational study B) Experiment
Answer: A

33) The similarity between an ordinal level of measurement and an interval level of measurement is that ________.
A) both can be arranged in some order
B) neither can be arranged in some order
C) differences between data values cannot be determined or are meaningless
D) differences between data values can be determined and are meaningful
Answer: A

34) Which of the following does not apply to the ratio level of measurement?
A) Differences between data values can be found and are meaningful
B) Cannot be arranged in order
C) Can be arranged in order
D) There is a natural zero starting point
Answer: B

35) Determine which level of measurement is appropriate. A sample of children's balls are classified from softest to
hardest.
A) Ordinal B) Interval C) Nominal D) Ratio
Answer: A

36) Determine which level of measurement is appropriate. Salaries of college professors.

A) Ratio B) Nominal C) Ordinal D) Interval
Answer: A

5
 CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE COMPLETE Test Bank

37) Which of the following is an inappropriate way to deal with missing data?
A) Substitute missing values B) Determine if missing values are random
C) Ignore missing data D) Delete cases with missing data
Answer: C

38) In a cross-sectional study, data are ________.

A) collected from a past time period
B) observed, measured, and collected at one point of time
C) collected in the future from groups that share common factors
D) observed, measure, and collected over a period of time
Answer: B

39) Which type of experiment separates subjects into groups that are similar but differ in ways that might affect the
outcome of the experiment?
A) Randomized block design B) Rigorously controlled design
C) Matched pairs design D) Completely randomized design
Answer: A

40) The good design of experiments includes blinding, ________, and ________.
A) internalization; randomization B) replication; randomization
C) replication; voluntary response samples D) replication; experimentation
Answer: B

ESSAY. Write your answer in the space provided or on a separate sheet of paper.

41) Form a conclusion about statistical significance. Do not make any formal calculations. Either use the results
provided or make subjective judgments about the results.
Last year, the average math SAT score for students at one school was 475. The headmaster introduced new
teaching methods hoping to improve scores. This year, the mean math SAT score for a sample of students was 481.
Is there statistically significant evidence that the new teaching method is effective? If the teaching method had no
effect, there would be roughly a 3 in 10 chance of seeing such an increase. Does the result have statistical
significance? Why or why not? Does the result have practical significance?
Answer: No. The new mean SAT score is not substantially higher. Even if the new teaching method had no effect,
a small increase such as this could easily be seen just by chance. No. The increase is not sufficient to be of
practical significance.

42) Why do you think that cluster sampling is frequently used in practice?
Answer: Cluster sampling can save time and money and be more efficient, especially when the clusters are
geographically far apart from each other. If a study wants to solicit opinions from the homeless
population, it is more effective to choose a few selected towns and interview a significant number of
homeless people in each town rather than study a few homeless people in all towns. A significant and
similar sample are identified in each cluster. In this case, a study accessing the entire population through
simple random sample would be too big and expensive.
In stratified sampling, the population is divided into strata according to some variables that are thought
to be related to the variables of interest. A sample is taken from every stratum. There is not an identified
variable of interest in the homeless study.

43) "38% of adults in the United States regularly visit a doctor". This conclusion was reached by a college student after
she had questioned 520 randomly selected members of her college. What is wrong with her conclusion?
Answer: The sample is biased. College students are not representative of the U.S. population as a whole.

6
 CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE COMPLETE Test Bank

44) Subscribers of the women's magazine Cosmopolitan are asked to participate in a survey about preferred cereals for
breakfast. Are the results likely to be representative of all women? Of all subscribers of Cosmopolitan? Why or
why not?
Answer: No. Cosmopolitan attracts women with specific demographics and subscribers will not be representative
of all women, however, a sample well selected, will not be representative. No, this sample will not even
be representative of all Cosmopolitan subscribers because it is a voluntary response sample - subscribers
themselves choose whether to respond. Those with stronger opinions are more likely to respond so the
sample is unlikely to be representative of all subscribers to the magazine.

45) Given the data in the table, what issue can be addressed by conducting a statistical analysis of the values?

Amounts of Saturated Fat (in grams) in Two-Once Regular and Low-Fat Muffins

Regular 4.5 3.5 3.7 5.2 4.9 3.9

Low-Fat 1.2 2.1 2.2 1.8 1.6 2.2

Answer: Given the context of the data, we could address the issue of whether the two types of muffins provide the
same amounts of saturated fat, or whether there is a difference between the two types of muffin.

46) At a school there are two different math classes for children of the same age. The two classes have different
teachers. The school principal is interested in gauging the effectiveness of two different teaching methods and asks
each teacher to try one of the methods. At the end of the semester both classes are given the same test and the
results are compared. In this experiment, what is the variable of interest? Give some examples of variables which
could be confounding variables.
Answer: The variable of interest is the teaching method. Possible confounding variables are "skill of teacher" (is
one teacher better than the other?), "aptitude of students" (do the two classes have students of the same
ability?), "amount of study time" (does one class have students who are more conscientious?).

47) A lawyer surveyed a simple random sample of his colleagues and asked them whether they were left-handed or
right-handed. Is this convenience sample likely to provide results typical of all adults in the United States? Do
convenience samples in general provide good results?
Answer: Yes. There is nothing about left-handedness or right-handedness that would affect being one of the
lawyer's colleagues. In terms of left- or right-handedness, a simple random sample of the lawyer's
colleagues is likely to be representative of all adults in the United States. Convenience samples in general
do not tend to provide good results as the sample is often not representative of a broader population.

48) Identify the sample and population. Also, determine whether the sample is likely to be representative of the
population. A study is interested in whether men and women are equally likely to vote Democratic, Republican or
Independent or not vote in a presidential election. Results were polled through a popular news website.
Answer: Sample: the individuals who responded to the website poll; population: all voting age adults; not
representative due to being a convenience sample.

49) Distinguish between categorical and quantitative data. Give an example of each.
Answer: Qualitative data can be separated into categories that are distinguished by nonnumeric characteristics.
Quantitative data consist of numbers representing counts or measurements. Examples will vary.

50) Explain why using self-reported data instead of measured data is a potential pitfall in data collection. Be sure to
include an example.
Answer: Answers will vary. Using self-reported data may be inaccurate since people may want to represent
themselves in a certain way. For example, people often report that they weigh less than they actually do.

7
 CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE COMPLETE Test Bank

51) Explain the difference between stratified and cluster sampling.

Answer: In both cluster sampling and stratified sampling, sub-groups (clusters or strata) are formed. However, in
stratified sampling, all strata are used and a sample is selected from each strata. In cluster sampling, a
sample of the clusters is first selected, then all members of those clusters are selected.

52) The table shows the weights (in pounds) and monthly incomes (in dollars) of nine randomly selected women
between the ages of 18 and 65.

Weight (lb) 113 132 155 122 166 140 118 129 185
Monthly Income
(dollars) 1420 3650 5475 2310 4710 2910 1720 2460 4115

If we use statistical methods to conclude that there is a correlation (or relationship or association) between the
weights of women and their monthly incomes, can we conclude that by increasing her weight a woman can
increase her monthly income?
Answer: No. If a correlation (or relationship or association) is found, this doesn't mean that one variable is the
cause of another. Larger weights do not cause higher incomes, but tend to be associated with higher
incomes because both weight and income are associated with a third variable, age. Older women tend to
be heavier and to have higher incomes than younger women.

53) A teacher was interested in knowing how much tax people pay in the United States. She selected a simple random
sample of her friends and asked them about their taxes. Is this sample likely to be representative of all adults in the
United States?
Answer: An observational study would be more appropriate. An experiment would not be appropriate because it
would be unethical to administer as a treatment a substance known to be toxic. However a retrospective
observational study, for example, could be carried out by examining records from the past and observing
the effects where the substance had been accidentally ingested.

54) Would an observational study or an experiment be more appropriate to investigate the effects on humans of a
substance known to be toxic? Explain.
Answer: No; The exam result of 53.7% is not substantially greater than 50%. Even if Charlie were just guessing, he
could easily do this well just by chance.

55) A coach uses a new technique in training middle distance runners. The times, in seconds, for 8 different athletes to
run 800 meters before and after this training are shown below.

Athlete A B C D E F G H
Before 115.2 114 116.4 119.8 110.9 112.4 111.5 117.3
After 112.9 112.7 114 120.6 109.1 109.1 107.9 113.4

Does the conclusion that the technique is effective appear to be supported with statistical significance? Does the
conclusion that the technique is effective appear to have practical significance?
Answer: Yes. Almost all runners have considerably faster times after the training. Yes. The differences appear to
be substantial.

56) Why is cluster sampling frequently used in practice?

Answer: Answers will vary. Possible answer: Cluster sampling can save time and money and be more efficient,
especially when the clusters are geographically far apart from each other. For example, if a researcher
wishes to interview a sample of high school teachers in a school district, it will be easier to interview all
the teachers at a few schools than to interview a few teachers from many different schools.

8
 CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE COMPLETE Test Bank

57) Identify the sample and population. Also, determine whether the sample is likely to be representative of the
population. An employee at the local ice cream parlor asks three customers if they like chocolate ice cream.
Answer: Sample: the 3 selected customers; population: all customers; not representative.

58) Use critical thinking to develop an alternative conclusion. A study shows that the number of reported sexually
transmitted diseases was significantly higher for high schools that offered courses in sex education than for high
schools that did not. Conclusion: The introduction of sex education courses at the high school level has resulted in
increased promiscuity among teens.
Answer: Sex education gives students information about sexual activities including the results of engaging in
those activities, such as pregnancy and disease. Promiscuous behavior is more about a lack of
information. This fallacy explanation is saying that since sex education is being taught in high schools,
the teachings increase the promiscuity of teenagers. This is completely false because yes the teenagers are
learning how to have safe and protective sex, but it's up to them and how they choose to use that
information about sex to alter the cause of their promiscuity.

59) Would an observational study or an experiment be more appropriate to investigate the effects on fertilizer on plant
growth? Explain.
Answer: An experiment would be more appropriate.

60) Explain what is meant by the term "confounding," and give an example of an experiment in which confounding is
likely to be a problem.
Answer: Confounding occurs in an experiment when the effects of two or more variables cannot be distinguished
from each other. Examples will vary. One example is that of a school district that conducts a study
regarding whether the science laboratory approach or the computer simulation approach is better for
learning chemistry among seniors. A standardized achievement test is used to measure learning, and the
results of the two schools are compared. Unless controlled in the study, two confounding variables are
teaching expertise and student motivation.

SHORT ANSWER. Write the word or phrase that best completes each statement or answers the question.

Use critical thinking to determine whether the sampling method appears to be sound or is flawed.
61) You plan to make a survey of 200 people. The plan is to talk to every 10th person coming out of the school library.
Is there a problem with your plan?
Answer: People who don't go to the library are excluded.

62) A questionnaire is sent to 10,000 persons. 5,000 responded to the questionnaire. 3,000 of the respondents say that
they "love chocolate ice cream". We conclude that 60% of people love chocolate ice cream. What is wrong with this
survey?
Answer: This is a voluntary response sample. The survey is based on voluntary, self-selected responses and
therefore has serious potential for bias.

63) An airline company advertises that 100% of their flights are on time after checking 5 randomly selected flights and
finding that these 5 were on time. What is wrong with their claim?
Answer: The sample was too small.

64) "7 out of 10 dentists recommend Brand X toothpaste". This finding is based on the results of a survey of 10
randomly selected dentists. What is wrong with this survey?
Answer: The sample was too small.

9
 CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE COMPLETE Test Bank

65) A researcher published this survey result: "74% of people would be willing to spend 10 percent more for energy
from a non-polluting source". The survey question was announced on a national radio show and 1,200 listeners
responded by calling in. What is wrong with this survey?
Answer: This is a voluntary response sample. The survey is based on voluntary, self-selected responses and
therefore has serious potential for bias.

66) "38% of adults in the United States regularly visit a doctor". This conclusion was reached by a college student after
she had questioned 520 randomly selected members of her college. What is wrong with her survey?
Answer: The sample is biased. College students are not representative of the U.S. population as a whole.

Form a conclusion about statistical significance. Do not make any formal calculations. Either use the results provided or
make subjective judgments about the results.
67) A manufacturer of laptop computers claims that only 1% of their computers are defective. In a sample of 600
computers, it was found that 3% were defective. If the proportion of defectives were really only 1%, there would be
less than 1 chance in 1000 of getting such a large proportion of defective laptops in the sample. Is there statistically
significant evidence against the manufacturer's claim? Why or why not?
Answer: Yes. If the claimed proportion of defectives of 1% were correct, there would be a very small likelihood of
getting 3% defectives in the sample. The sample rate of 3% is significantly greater than the claimed rate of
1%.

68) A researcher investigated whether following a vegetarian diet could help to reduce blood pressure. For a sample
of 85 people who followed a vegetarian diet for 4 months, the mean systolic blood pressure was 124 mmHg and
for a sample of 75 people who followed a nonvegetarian diet for 4 months, the mean systolic blood pressure was
138 mmHg. Methods of statistics show that if a vegetarian diet had no effect on blood pressure, there would be
less than 1 chance in a 100 of getting these results. Does the result have statistical significance? Why or why not?
Does the result have practical significance?
Answer: Yes. The group following a vegetarian diet had a substantially lower mean blood pressure. If a vegetarian
diet did not help to reduce blood pressure, there would be a very small chance of getting these results.
Yes; the difference in blood pressure appears substantial and enough to be an important factor in health.

69) Last year, the average math SAT score for students at one school was 475. The headmaster introduced new
teaching methods hoping to improve scores. This year, the mean math SAT score for a sample of students was
481. Is there statistically significant evidence that the new teaching method is effective? If the teaching method had
no effect, there would be roughly a 3 in 10 chance of seeing such an increase. Does the result have statistical
significance? Why or why not? Does the result have practical significance?
Answer: No. The new mean SAT score is not substantially higher. Even if the new teaching method had no effect,
a small increase such as this could easily be seen just by chance. No. The increase is not sufficient to be of
practical significance.

70) Charlie's teacher claims that he does not study and just guesses on exams. On an exam with 201 true-false
questions, Charlie answered 53.7% of the questions correctly. Calculations using these results show that if he were
really just guessing, there would be roughly 1 chance in 7 that he would do this well. Is there statistically
significant evidence against the teacher's claim that Charlie is just guessing? Why or why not?
Answer: No; The exam result of 53.7% is not substantially greater than 50%. Even if Charlie were just guessing, he
could easily do this well just by chance.

10
 CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE COMPLETE Test Bank

71) In a random sample of 160 women, 78% favored stricter gun control laws. In a random sample of 220 men, 61%
favored stricter gun control laws. Is there statistically significant evidence that a larger proportion of women than
men favor stricter gun control laws?
Answer: Yes. In these samples, the proportion of women favoring stricter gun control is substantially higher than
the proportion of men favoring stricter gun control. If the true proportions were actually equal, there
would be a very small likelihood of seeing such a large difference in the samples..

Provide an appropriate response.

72) Use the data in the table to answer the question. The x-values are amounts of saturated fat (in grams) in various
regular two-ounce muffins. The y-values are amounts of saturated fat (in grams) in various "low fat" two-ounce
muffins.
Amounts of Saturated Fat in Regular and Low-Fat Muffins
x 5.2 5.8 4.8 5.8 5.4 4.5
y 1.2 2.1 1.3 2.4 1.5 1.1
Is each x-value matched with a corresponding y-value? That is, is each x-value associated with the corresponding
y-value in some meaningful way? If the x- and y-values are not matched, does it make sense to use the difference
between each x-value and the y-value that is in the same column?
Answer: The x-values are not matched with the y-values, so it does not make sense to use the differences between
each x-value and the y-value that is in the same column.

73) Use the data in the table to answer the question. The x-values are amounts of saturated fat (in grams) in various
regular two-ounce muffins. The y-values are amounts of saturated fat (in grams) in various "low fat" two-ounce
muffins.
Amounts of Saturated Fat in Regular and Low-Fat Muffins
x 5.3 5.7 5.8 3.8 4.2 6.1
y 1.2 2.1 1.7 1.9 0.7 2.3
Note that the table lists measured amounts of saturated fat in two different types of muffin. Given these data, what
issue can be addressed by conducting a statistical analysis of the values?
Answer: Given the context of the data, we could address the issue of whether the two types of muffin provide the
same amounts of saturated fat, or whether there is a difference between the two types of muffin.

74) Use the data in the table to answer the question. The x-values are amounts of saturated fat (in grams) in various
regular two-ounce muffins. The y-values are amounts of saturated fat (in grams) in various "low fat" two-ounce
muffins.
Amounts of Saturated Fat in Regular and Low-Fat Muffins
x 4.7 6.1 3.5 5.2 3.8 4.3
y 1.2 2.1 0.8 1.5 1.8 2.4
The measured amounts of saturated fat were supplied by the producers of the muffins. Is there an incentive for
producers to report values that are not accurate?
Answer: For health reasons, consumers often prefer to buy muffins which are low in saturated fat. There is an
incentive for producers to make the amount of saturated fat appear as low as possible. For this reason,
the source of the data could be suspect with a potential for bias.

11
 CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE COMPLETE Test Bank

75) The table shows the weights, in pounds, of seven subjects before and after following a particular diet for two
months. Assume that the x-values are the weights before the diet and the y-values are the weights after the diet.
Subject A B C D E F G
Before 159 173 199 181 200 160 188
After 152 164 197 186 186 162 176
Are the x-values matched with the corresponding y-values? That is, is each x-value associated with the
corresponding y-value in some meaningful way? If the x- and y-values are matched, does it make sense to use the
difference between each x-value and the y-value that is in the same column? Why or why not?
Answer: The x-values are matched with the corresponding y-values. It makes sense to use the difference between
each x-value and the y-value that is in the same column. Both represent weights measured in pounds
and both are associated with the same person. The x-value is the weight of a person before the diet and
the y-value in the same column is the weight of the same person after the diet. The difference represents
the amount of weight lost (or gained) by that person.

76) The table shows the weights (in pounds) and monthly incomes (in dollars) of nine randomly selected women
between the ages of 18 and 65. Assume that the x-values are the weights and the y-values are the monthly
incomes.
Weight (lb) 113 132 155 122 166 140 118 129 185
Monthly Income (dollars) 1420 3650 5475 2310 4710 2910 1720 2460 4115
Are the x-values matched with the corresponding y-values? That is, is each x-value associated with the
corresponding y-value in some meaningful way? If the x- and y-values are matched, does it make sense to use the
difference between each x-value and the y-value that is in the same column? Why or why not?
Answer: The x-values are matched with the y-values. It does not make sense to use the difference between each
x-value and the y-value that is in the same column. The x-values are weights (in pounds) and the
y-values are monthly incomes (in dollars), so the differences are meaningless.

77) The table shows the weights (in pounds) and monthly incomes (in dollars) of nine randomly selected women
between the ages of 18 and 65. Assume that the x-values are the weights and the y-values are the monthly
incomes.
Weight (lb) 113 132 155 122 166 140 118 129 185
Monthly Income (dollars) 1420 3650 5475 2310 4710 2910 1720 2460 4115
What issue can be addressed by conducting a statistical analysis of the values?
Answer: Is there a relationship or an association between a woman's weight and her monthly income?

78) The table shows the weights (in pounds) and monthly incomes (in dollars) of nine randomly selected women
between the ages of 18 and 65. Assume that the x-values are the weights and the y-values are the monthly
incomes.
Weight (lb) 113 132 155 122 166 140 118 129 185
Monthly Income (dollars) 1420 3650 5475 2310 4710 2910 1720 2460 4115
If we use statistical methods to conclude that there is a correlation (or relationship or association) between the
weights of women and their monthly incomes, can we conclude that by increasing her weight a woman can
increase her monthly income?
Answer: No. If a correlation (or relationship or association) is found, this doesn't mean that one variable is the
cause of another. Larger weights do not cause higher incomes, but tend to be associated with higher
incomes because both weight and income are associated with a third variable, age. Older women tend to
be heavier and to have higher incomes than younger women.

12
 CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE COMPLETE Test Bank

Use critical thinking to develop an alternative conclusion.

79) A study shows that adults who work at their desk all day weigh more than those who do not. Conclusion: Desk
jobs cause people to gain weight.
Answer: Desk job workers are confined to their chairs for most of their work day. Other jobs require standing or
walking around which burns calories. It is probably the lack of exercise that causes higher weights, not
the desk job itself. Avoid causality altogether by saying lack of walking and exercise is associated with
higher weights.

80) In a study of headache patients, every one of the study subjects with a headache was found to be improved after
taking a week off of work. Conclusion: Taking time off work cures headaches.
Answer: Headaches generally last for only a few hours, so anything would seem like a cure. There is no evidence
to suggest that taking time off work will cure a headache.

81) A study of achievement scores by sixth-grade students on a standardized math test showed the three top scorers
were all gifted piano players. Conclusion: Playing the piano leads to mathematical achievement.
Answer: A sample of 3 among many students is not sufficient to conclude that playing the piano is conducive to
math achievement. Student motivation and interest in math should be considered as factors.

MULTIPLE CHOICE. Choose the one alternative that best completes the statement or answers the question.

Solve the problem.

82) A gardener has 87 clients, 45% of whom are businesses. Find the number of business clients.
A) 85 clients B) 48 clients C) 41 clients D) 39 clients
Answer: D

83) Alex and Juana went on a 80-mile canoe trip with their class. On the first day they traveled 16 miles. What percent
of the total distance did they canoe?
A) 500% B) 0.2% C) 20% D) 5%
Answer: C

84) On a test, if 130 questions are answered and 42% of them are correct, what is the number of correct answers?
A) 83 B) -29 C) 60 D) 55
Answer: D

85) On a test, 74% of the questions are answered correctly. If 111 questions are correct, how many questions are on
the test?
A) 37 B) 150 C) 67 D) 74
Answer: B

86) On a test, if 80 questions are answered and 46 of them are correct, what is the percent of correct answers? Round to
the nearest percent.
A) 42% B) 58% C) 0.58% D) 174%
Answer: B

SHORT ANSWER. Write the word or phrase that best completes each statement or answers the question.

Provide an appropriate response.

87) A bus company claims that in the past year it has reduced the number of late departures of buses by 100%. What is
wrong with this statement?
Answer: A reduction of 100% would mean that the company had reduced the number of late departures to zero
which is not plausible.

13
 CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE COMPLETE Test Bank

88) An advertisement for a heating pad says that it can reduce back pain by 200%. What is wrong with this statement?
Answer: If a person's back pain was reduced by 100%, it would be completely eliminated, so it is not possible for a
person's back pain to be reduced by more than 100%.

89) Jon consulted with an accountant to prepare his tax return. He recommended the accountant to his friend saying
that this year the amount he paid in taxes was 150% less than last year. What is wrong with this statement?
Answer: If Jon's taxes were reduced by 100% he would be paying no taxes at all, so it is not possible for his taxes to
be reduced by more than 100%.

90) An article stated that last year 807 people taking a certain medication suffered from serious side effects while this
year, after the medication had been modified, only 391 suffered serious side effects. What information is missing?
Why would it be important to include this information?
Answer: There is no context to the data. The article should include the number of people taking the medication
last year and this. More important than the number suffering serious side effects is the percentage of
those taking the medication that suffer side effects. Although fewer people suffered side effects this year,
it is possible (if fewer people are taking the medication this year) that the percentage suffering side effects
has actually increased.

91) A coach uses a new technique in training middle distance runners. The times, in seconds, for 8 different athletes to
run 800 meters before and after this training are shown below.
Athlete A B C D E F G H
Before 115.2 115.2 117.9 110.3 115.5 112.4 119.4 113.8
After 112.9 113.9 115.5 111.1 113.7 109.1 115.8 109.9
Does the conclusion that the technique is effective appear to be supported with statistical significance? Does the
conclusion that the technique is effective appear to have practical significance?
Answer: Yes. Almost all runners have considerably faster times after the training.
Yes. The differences appear to be substantial.

MULTIPLE CHOICE. Choose the one alternative that best completes the statement or answers the question.

Determine whether the given value is a statistic or a parameter.

92) A sample of 120 employees of a company is selected, and the average age is found to be 37 years.
A) Parameter B) Statistic
Answer: B

93) After taking the first exam, 15 of the students dropped the class.
A) Statistic B) Parameter
Answer: B

94) After inspecting all of 55,000 kg of meat stored at the Wurst Sausage Company, it was found that 45,000 kg of the
meat was spoiled.
A) Parameter B) Statistic
Answer: A

95) A health and fitness club surveys 40 randomly selected members and found that the average weight of those
questioned is 157 lb.
A) Statistic B) Parameter
Answer: A

14
 CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE COMPLETE Test Bank

Determine whether the given value is from a discrete or continuous data set.
96) The number of freshmen entering college in a certain year is 621.
A) Continuous B) Discrete
Answer: B

97) The temperature of a cup of coffee is 67.3°F.

A) Discrete B) Continuous
Answer: B

98) The weight of Bill's pack as he sets off on a backpacking trip is 48.3 lb.
A) Continuous B) Discrete
Answer: A

99) The number of limbs on a 2-year-old oak tree is 21.

A) Discrete B) Continuous
Answer: A

100) The height of 2-year-old maple tree is 28.3 ft.

A) Discrete B) Continuous
Answer: B

101) The number of stories in a Manhattan building is 22.

A) Continuous B) Discrete
Answer: B

102) The total number of phone calls a sales representative makes in a month is 425.
A) Discrete B) Continuous
Answer: A

Determine which of the four levels of measurement (nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio) is most appropriate.
103) The temperatures of eight different plastic spheres.
A) Ratio B) Ordinal C) Nominal D) Interval
Answer: D

104) The sample of spheres categorized from softest to hardest.

A) Ratio B) Ordinal C) Nominal D) Interval
Answer: B

105) Salaries of college professors.

A) Nominal B) Interval C) Ratio D) Ordinal
Answer: C

106) Survey responses of "good, better, best".

A) Interval B) Nominal C) Ratio D) Ordinal
Answer: D

107) Temperatures of the ocean at various depths.

A) Ratio B) Interval C) Ordinal D) Nominal
Answer: B

15
 CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE COMPLETE Test Bank

108) Nationalities of survey respondents.

A) Nominal B) Interval C) Ordinal D) Ratio
Answer: A

109) Ages of survey respondents.

A) Nominal B) Ratio C) Ordinal D) Interval
Answer: B

110) The subjects in which college students major.

A) Ordinal B) Ratio C) Nominal D) Interval
Answer: C

111) Student's grades, A, B, or C, on a test.

A) Ratio B) Ordinal C) Nominal D) Interval
Answer: B

112) Amount of fat (in grams) in cookies.

A) Ratio B) Nominal C) Interval D) Ordinal
Answer: A

SHORT ANSWER. Write the word or phrase that best completes each statement or answers the question.

Identify the sample and population. Also, determine whether the sample is likely to be representative of the population.
113) An employee at the local ice cream parlor asks three customers if they like chocolate ice cream.
Answer: Sample: the 3 selected customers; population: all customers; not representative

114) 100,000 randomly selected adults were asked whether they drink at least 48 oz of water each day and only 45%
said yes.
Answer: Sample: the 100,000 selected adults; population: all adults; representative

115) In a poll of 50,000 randomly selected college students, 74% answered "yes" when asked "Do you have a television
in your dorm room?".
Answer: Sample: the 50,000 selected college students; population: all college students; representative

MULTIPLE CHOICE. Choose the one alternative that best completes the statement or answers the question.

Determine whether the given description corresponds to an observational study or an experiment.

116) A marketing firm does a survey to find out how many people use a product. Of the one hundred people contacted,
fifteen said they use the product.
A) Experiment B) Observational study
Answer: B

117) A clinic gives a drug to a group of ten patients and a placebo to another group of ten patients to find out if the drug
has an effect on the patients' illness.
A) Observational study B) Experiment
Answer: B

118) A sample of fish is taken from a lake to measure the effect of pollution from a nearby factory on the fish.
A) Observational study B) Experiment
Answer: A

16
 CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE COMPLETE Test Bank

119) A political pollster reports that his candidate has a 10% lead in the polls with 10% undecided.
A) Experiment B) Observational study
Answer: B

120) A quality control specialist compares the output from a machine with a new lubricant to the output of machines
with the old lubricant.
A) Observational study B) Experiment
Answer: B

121) A stock analyst selects a stock from a group of twenty for investment by choosing the stock with the greatest
earnings per share reported for the last quarter.
A) Experiment B) Observational study
Answer: B

122) A stock analyst compares the relationship between stock prices and earnings per share to help him select a stock
for investment.
A) Experiment B) Observational study
Answer: B

123) A T.V. show's executives raised the fee for commercials following a report that the show received a "No. 1" rating
in a survey of viewers.
A) Observational study B) Experiment
Answer: A

124) A T.V. show's executives commissioned a study to gauge the impact of the show's ratings on the sales of its
advertisers.
A) Observational study B) Experiment
Answer: A

125) A doctor induces a cardiac stress test to determine the reason for a patient's illness.
A) Observational study B) Experiment
Answer: B

Identify which of these types of sampling is used: random, stratified, systematic, cluster, convenience.
126) 49, 34, and 48 students are selected from the Sophomore, Junior, and Senior classes with 496, 348, and 481 students
respectively.
A) Systematic B) Convenience C) Random D) Stratified E) Cluster
Answer: D

127) A sample consists of every 49th student from a group of 496 students.
A) Systematic B) Stratified C) Random D) Convenience E) Cluster
Answer: A

128) A market researcher selects 500 drivers under 30 years of age and 500 drivers over 30 years of age.
A) Systematic B) Cluster C) Stratified D) Convenience E) Random
Answer: C

129) A market researcher selects 500 people from each of 10 cities.

A) Systematic B) Random C) Stratified D) Cluster E) Convenience
Answer: C

17
 CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE COMPLETE Test Bank

130) A tax auditor selects every 1000th income tax return that is received.
A) Systematic B) Random C) Convenience D) Cluster E) Stratified
Answer: A

131) A pollster uses a computer to generate 500 random numbers, then interviews the voters corresponding to those
numbers.
A) Convenience B) Random C) Systematic D) Stratified E) Cluster
Answer: B

132) To avoid working late, a quality control analyst simply inspects the first 100 items produced in a day.
A) Cluster B) Convenience C) Systematic D) Random E) Stratified
Answer: B

133) An education researcher randomly selects 48 middle schools and interviews all the teachers at each school.
A) Systematic B) Cluster C) Stratified D) Convenience E) Random
Answer: B

134) A researcher interviews 19 work colleagues who work in his building.

A) Random B) Cluster C) Convenience D) Stratified E) Systematic
Answer: C

135) The name of each contestant is written on a separate card, the cards are placed in a bag, and three names are
picked from the bag.
A) Systematic B) Cluster C) Stratified D) Random E) Convenience
Answer: D

Provide an appropriate response.

136) An education expert is researching teaching methods and wishes to interview teachers from a particular school
district. She randomly selects ten schools from the district and interviews all of the teachers at the selected schools.
Does this sampling plan result in a random sample? Simple random sample? Explain.
A) Yes; yes. The sample is random because all teachers have the same chance of being selected. It is a simple
random sample because all samples have the same chance of being selected.
B) No; yes. The sample is not random because teachers in small schools are more likely to be selected than
teachers in larger schools. It is a simple random sample because all samples have the same chance of being
selected.
C) Yes; no. The sample is random because all teachers have the same chance of being selected. It is not a simple
random sample because some samples are not possible, such as a sample that includes teachers from schools
that were not selected.
D) No; no. The sample is not random because teachers in small schools are more likely to be selected than
teachers in larger schools. It is not a simple random sample because some samples are not possible, such as a
sample that includes teachers from schools that were not selected.
Answer: C

18
 CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE COMPLETE Test Bank

137) A psychology student wishes to investigate differences in political opinions between business majors and political
science majors at her college. She randomly selects 100 students from the 260 business majors and 100 students
from the 180 political science majors. Does this sampling plan result in a random sample? Simple random sample?
Explain.
A) No; yes. The sample is not random because political science majors have a greater chance of being selected
than business majors. It is a simple random sample because all samples of size 200 have the same chance of
being selected.
B) No; no. The sample is not random because political science majors have a greater chance of being selected
than business majors. It is not a simple random sample because some samples are not possible, such as a
sample consisting of 50 business majors and 150 political science majors.
C) Yes; no. The sample is random because all students have the same chance of being selected. It is not a simple
random sample because some samples are not possible, such as a sample consisting of 50 business majors
and 150 political science majors.
D) Yes; yes. The sample is random because all students have the same chance of being selected. It is a simple
random sample because all samples of size 200 have the same chance of being selected.
Answer: B

138) A computer company employs 100 software engineers and 100 hardware engineers. The personnel manager
randomly selects 20 of the software engineers and 20 of the hardware engineers and questions them about career
opportunities within the company. Does this sampling plan result in a random sample? Simple random sample?
Explain.
A) Yes; no. The sample is random because all employees have the same chance of being selected. It is not a
simple random sample because some samples are not possible, such as a sample consisting of 30 software
engineers and 10 hardware engineers.
B) No; no. The sample is not random because not all employees have the same chance of being selected. It is not
a simple random sample because some samples are not possible, such as a sample consisting of 30 software
engineers and 10 hardware engineers.
C) Yes; yes. The sample is random because all employees have the same chance of being selected. It is a simple
random sample because all samples of size 40 have the same chance of being selected.
D) No; yes. The sample is not random because not all employees have the same chance of being selected. It is a
simple random sample because all samples of size 40 have the same chance of being selected.
Answer: A

139) The personnel manager at a company wants to investigate job satisfaction among the female employees. One
evening after a meeting she talks to all 30 female employees who attended the meeting. Does this sampling plan
result in a random sample? Simple random sample? Explain.
A) No; yes. The sample is not random because not all female employees have the same chance of being selected.
Those that didn't attend the meeting have no chance of being selected. It is a simple random sample because
all samples of 30 female employees have the same chance of being selected.
B) Yes; yes. The sample is random because all female employees have the same chance of being selected. It is a
simple random sample because all samples of size 30 have the same chance of being selected.
C) Yes; no. The sample is random because all female employees have the same chance of being selected. It is not
a simple random sample because some samples are not possible, such as a sample containing female
employees who did not attend the meeting.
D) No; no. The sample is not random because not all female employees have the same chance of being selected.
Those that didn't attend the meeting have no chance of being selected. It is not a simple random sample
because some samples are not possible, such as a sample containing female employees who did not attend
the meeting.
Answer: D

19
 CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE COMPLETE Test Bank

140) A polling company obtains an alphabetical list of names of voters in a precinct. They select every 20th person from
the list until a sample of 100 is obtained. They then call these 100 people. Does this sampling plan result in a
random sample? Simple random sample? Explain.
A) No; yes. The sample is not random because not all voters have the same chance of being selected. The second
person on the list has no chance of being selected. It is a simple random sample because all samples of 100
voters have the same chance of being selected.
B) Yes; yes. The sample is random because all voters have the same chance of being selected. It is a simple
random sample because all samples of 100 voters have the same chance of being selected.
C) No; no. The sample is not random because not all voters have the same chance of being selected. The second
person on the list has no chance of being selected. It is not a simple random sample because some samples
are not possible, such as a sample containing the second person on the list.
D) Yes; no. The sample is random because all voters have the same chance of being selected. It is not a simple
random sample because some samples are not possible, such as a sample containing the second person on
the list.
Answer: C

141) A researcher obtains an alphabetical list of the 2560 students at a college. She uses a random number generator to
obtain 50 numbers between 1 and 2560. She chooses the 50 students corresponding to those numbers. Does this
sampling plan result in a random sample? Simple random sample? Explain.
A) Yes; no. The sample is random because all students have the same chance of being selected. It is not a simple
random sample because some samples are not possible, such as a sample containing the first 50 students on
the list.
B) Yes; yes. The sample is random because all students have the same chance of being selected. It is a simple
random sample because all samples of 50 students have the same chance of being selected.
C) No; no. The sample is not random because not all students have the same chance of being selected. It is not a
simple random sample because some samples are not possible, such as a sample containing the the first 50
students on the list.
D) No; yes. The sample is not random because not all students have the same chance of being selected. It is a
simple random sample because all samples of 50 students have the same chance of being selected.
Answer: B

142) An electronics store receives a shipment of eight boxes of calculators. Each box contains ten calculators. A quality
control inspector chooses a box by putting eight identical slips of paper numbered 1 to 8 into a hat, mixing
thoroughly and then picking a slip at random. He then chooses a calculator at random from the box selected using
a similar method with ten slips of paper in a hat. He repeats the process until he obtains a sample of 5 calculators
for quality control testing. Does this sampling plan result in a random sample? Simple random sample? Explain.
A) Yes; yes. The sample is random because all calculators have the same chance of being selected. It is a simple
random sample because all samples of 5 calculators have the same chance of being selected.
B) No; no. The sample is not random because not all calculators have the same chance of being selected. It is not
a simple random sample because some samples are not possible, such as a sample containing 5 calculators
from the same box.
C) No; yes. The sample is not random because not all calculators have the same chance of being selected. It is a
simple random sample because all samples of 5 calculators have the same chance of being selected.
D) Yes; no. The sample is random because all calculators have the same chance of being selected. It is not a
simple random sample because some samples are not possible, such as a sample containing 5 calculators
from the same box.
Answer: A

Identify the type of observational study (cross-sectional, retrospective, prospective).

143) A statistical analyst obtains data about ankle injuries by examining a hospital's records from the past 3 years.
A) Retrospective B) Cross-sectional C) Prospective D) None of these
Answer: A

20
 CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE COMPLETE Test Bank

144) Researchers collect data by interviewing athletes who have won olympic gold medals from 1992 to 2008.
A) Cross-sectional B) Retrospective C) Prospective D) None of these
Answer: B

145) A researcher plans to obtain data by following those in cancer remission since January of 2005.
A) Cross-sectional B) Retrospective C) Prospective D) None of these
Answer: C

146) A town obtains current employment data by polling 10,000 of its citizens this month.
A) Prospective B) Cross-sectional C) Retrospective D) None of these
Answer: B

SHORT ANSWER. Write the word or phrase that best completes each statement or answers the question.

Provide an appropriate response.

147) A market researcher obtains a sample of 50 people by standing outside a store and asking every 20th person who
enters the store to fill out a survey until she has 50 people. What sampling method is being used here? Will the
resulting sample be a random sample? Will it be a simple random sample? Explain your thinking.
Answer: This is systematic sampling. The sample obtained will be a random sample because everyone has the
same chance of being chosen but will not be a simple random sample as different samples of 50 people
have difference chances of being chosen. Note that the sample is random depends on the market
researcher randomly selecting 20 as the starting point prior to research.

148) A teacher at a school obtains a sample of students by selecting a random sample of 20 students from each grade.
What kind of sampling is being used here? Will the resulting sample be a simple random sample of the
population of students at the school? Explain your thinking.
Answer: This is stratified sampling. The sample obtained will not be a simple random sample because different
samples of students have different chances of being selected.

149) A researcher obtains a sample of high school teachers in his school district by randomly selecting 10 high schools
and interviewing all the teachers at each of these 10 schools. What kind of sampling is being used here? Will the
resulting sample be a simple random sample of the population of teachers in the school district? Explain your
thinking.
Answer: This is cluster sampling. The sample obtained will not be a simple random sample of all high school
teachers in the district because different samples have different chances of being selected.

150) Explain what is meant by the term "confounding" and give an example of an experiment in which confounding is
likely to be a problem.
Answer: Confounding occurs in an experiment when the effects of two or more variables cannot be distinguished
from each other. Examples will vary. One example is that of a school district that conducts a study
regarding whether the science laboratory approach or the computer simulation approach is better for
learning chemistry among seniors. A standardized achievement test is used to measure learning, and the
results of the two schools are compared. Unless controlled in the study, two confounding variables are
teaching expertise and student motivation.

21
 CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE COMPLETE Test Bank

151) At a school there are two different math classes of the same age. The two classes have different teachers. The
school principal is interested in gauging the effectiveness of two different teaching methods and asks each teacher
to try one of the methods. At the end of the semester both classes are given the same test and the results are
compared. In this experiment, what is the variable of interest? Give some examples of variables which could be
confounding variables.
Answer: The variable of interest is the teaching method. Possible confounding variables are "skill of teacher" (is
one teacher better than the other?), "aptitude of students" (do the two classes have students of the same
ability?), "amount of study time" (does one class have students who are more conscientious?).

152) Explain the difference between stratified and cluster sampling.

Answer: In both cluster sampling and stratified sampling, sub-groups (clusters or strata) are formed. However, in
stratified sampling, all strata are used and a sample is selected from each strata. In cluster sampling, a
sample of the clusters is first selected, then all members of those clusters are selected.

153) Why do you think that cluster sampling is frequently used in practice.
Answer: Answers will vary. Possible answer: Cluster sampling can save time and money and be more efficient,
especially when the clusters are geographically far apart from each other. For example, if a researcher
wishes to interview a sample of high school teachers in a school district, it will be easier to interview all
the teachers at a few schools than to interview a few teachers from many different schools.

154) A researcher wants to obtain a sample of 100 school teachers from the 800 school teachers in a school district.
Describe procedures for obtaining a sample of each type: random, systematic, convenience, stratified, cluster.
Answer: Answers will vary. One answer is as follows. (1) Random: List the names of the teachers in alphabetical
order from 1 through 800. Select 100 teachers by a random number computer program. (2) Systematic:
Blindly select from a box one of eight index cards, each of which has a number from 1 to 8 written on it.
Sample from the alphabetized list, beginning with that number followed by all its integral multiples until
100 teachers are selected. (3) Convenience: Offer an incentive to the teachers, and select the first 100
volunteers. (4) Stratified: Prepare an alphabetized list of teachers by school (i.e., strata) and randomly
select teachers in proportion to school size until 100 teachers are selected. (5) Cluster: Form 8 clusters
from 8 consecutive blocks of 100 teachers in the alphabetized list. Blindly draw an index card from the
box, and whichever card is drawn, all 100 teachers in that cluster will be the sample. Making clusters
from the individual schools might not work, since the school or schools randomly selected might not
have 100 teachers in total.

155) A researcher conducts an experiment to determine whether acupuncture can help people to recover from back
injuries. Participants are randomly assigned to a treatment group or a control group. Over a period of three weeks,
those assigned to the treatment group receive acupuncture treatments. At the end of the three weeks, the
improvement reported by those in the treatment group is compared with the improvement reported by those in
the control group. In this experiment there is no blinding. What does this mean and why could this cause a
problem?
Answer: An experiment is blind if participants do not know whether they are receiving the treatment or a placebo.
Blinding allows investigators to determine whether the treatment effect is significantly different from the
placebo effect. This experiment is not blind because participants know whether they are receiving
treatment. This may make it hard to determine to what extent improvements in the treatment group are
due to the acupuncture and to what extent they are due to the placebo effect.

22
 CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE COMPLETE Test Bank

156) In a clinical trial for a new headache medication, participants are randomly assigned to a treatment group or a
placebo group. They do not know whether they are receiving the medication or a placebo. However the doctors
administering the medication and evaluating the results do know which participants are receiving the medication.
This experiment is blind but not double blind. Explain what this means and why the absence of double blinding
could cause a problem.
Answer: This experiment is blind because participants do not know whether they are receiving the treatment or a
placebo. This will allows investigators to determine whether the treatment effect is significantly different
from the placebo effect. However, the experiment is not double blind because the doctors administering
the medication and evaluating the results know which participants are receiving the medication. The
doctors may not be impartial and their evaluation and analysis of results could be influenced by their
knowledge of which participants are receiving the treatment.

23
 CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE COMPLETE Test Bank

Answer Key
Testname: UNTITLED1

1) B
2) B
3) E
4) D
5) B
6) A
7) C
8) A
9) B
10) B
11) D
12) B
13) C
14) B
15) D
16) C
17) A
18) D
19) D
20) C
21) A
22) B
23) A
24) C
25) D
26) B
27) B
28) A
29) E
30) D
31) C
32) A
33) A
34) B
35) A
36) A
37) C
38) B
39) A
40) B
41) No. The new mean SAT score is not substantially higher. Even if the new teaching method had no effect, a small
increase such as this could easily be seen just by chance. No. The increase is not sufficient to be of practical significance.
42) Cluster sampling can save time and money and be more efficient, especially when the clusters are geographically far
apart from each other. If a study wants to solicit opinions from the homeless population, it is more effective to choose a
few selected towns and interview a significant number of homeless people in each town rather than study a few
homeless people in all towns. A significant and similar sample are identified in each cluster. In this case, a study
accessing the entire population through simple random sample would be too big and expensive.
In stratified sampling, the population is divided into strata according to some variables that are thought to be related to
the variables of interest. A sample is taken from every stratum. There is not an identified variable of interest in the
homeless study.
24
 CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE COMPLETE Test Bank

Answer Key
Testname: UNTITLED1

43) The sample is biased. College students are not representative of the U.S. population as a whole.
44) No. Cosmopolitan attracts women with specific demographics and subscribers will not be representative of all women,
however, a sample well selected, will not be representative. No, this sample will not even be representative of all
Cosmopolitan subscribers because it is a voluntary response sample - subscribers themselves choose whether to
respond. Those with stronger opinions are more likely to respond so the sample is unlikely to be representative of all
subscribers to the magazine.
45) Given the context of the data, we could address the issue of whether the two types of muffins provide the same
amounts of saturated fat, or whether there is a difference between the two types of muffin.
46) The variable of interest is the teaching method. Possible confounding variables are "skill of teacher" (is one teacher
better than the other?), "aptitude of students" (do the two classes have students of the same ability?), "amount of study
time" (does one class have students who are more conscientious?).
47) Yes. There is nothing about left-handedness or right-handedness that would affect being one of the lawyer's
colleagues. In terms of left- or right-handedness, a simple random sample of the lawyer's colleagues is likely to be
representative of all adults in the United States. Convenience samples in general do not tend to provide good results as
the sample is often not representative of a broader population.
48) Sample: the individuals who responded to the website poll; population: all voting age adults; not representative due to
being a convenience sample.
49) Qualitative data can be separated into categories that are distinguished by nonnumeric characteristics. Quantitative
data consist of numbers representing counts or measurements. Examples will vary.
50) Answers will vary. Using self-reported data may be inaccurate since people may want to represent themselves in a
certain way. For example, people often report that they weigh less than they actually do.
51) In both cluster sampling and stratified sampling, sub-groups (clusters or strata) are formed. However, in stratified
sampling, all strata are used and a sample is selected from each strata. In cluster sampling, a sample of the clusters is
first selected, then all members of those clusters are selected.
52) No. If a correlation (or relationship or association) is found, this doesn't mean that one variable is the cause of another.
Larger weights do not cause higher incomes, but tend to be associated with higher incomes because both weight and
income are associated with a third variable, age. Older women tend to be heavier and to have higher incomes than
younger women.
53) An observational study would be more appropriate. An experiment would not be appropriate because it would be
unethical to administer as a treatment a substance known to be toxic. However a retrospective observational study, for
example, could be carried out by examining records from the past and observing the effects where the substance had
been accidentally ingested.
54) No; The exam result of 53.7% is not substantially greater than 50%. Even if Charlie were just guessing, he could easily
do this well just by chance.
55) Yes. Almost all runners have considerably faster times after the training. Yes. The differences appear to be substantial.
56) Answers will vary. Possible answer: Cluster sampling can save time and money and be more efficient, especially when
the clusters are geographically far apart from each other. For example, if a researcher wishes to interview a sample of
high school teachers in a school district, it will be easier to interview all the teachers at a few schools than to interview a
few teachers from many different schools.
57) Sample: the 3 selected customers; population: all customers; not representative.
58) Sex education gives students information about sexual activities including the results of engaging in those activities,
such as pregnancy and disease. Promiscuous behavior is more about a lack of information. This fallacy explanation is
saying that since sex education is being taught in high schools, the teachings increase the promiscuity of teenagers.
This is completely false because yes the teenagers are learning how to have safe and protective sex, but it's up to them
and how they choose to use that information about sex to alter the cause of their promiscuity.
59) An experiment would be more appropriate.

25
 CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE COMPLETE Test Bank

Answer Key
Testname: UNTITLED1

60) Confounding occurs in an experiment when the effects of two or more variables cannot be distinguished from each
other. Examples will vary. One example is that of a school district that conducts a study regarding whether the science
laboratory approach or the computer simulation approach is better for learning chemistry among seniors. A
standardized achievement test is used to measure learning, and the results of the two schools are compared. Unless
controlled in the study, two confounding variables are teaching expertise and student motivation.
61) People who don't go to the library are excluded.
62) This is a voluntary response sample. The survey is based on voluntary, self-selected responses and therefore has
serious potential for bias.
63) The sample was too small.
64) The sample was too small.
65) This is a voluntary response sample. The survey is based on voluntary, self-selected responses and therefore has
serious potential for bias.
66) The sample is biased. College students are not representative of the U.S. population as a whole.
67) Yes. If the claimed proportion of defectives of 1% were correct, there would be a very small likelihood of getting 3%
defectives in the sample. The sample rate of 3% is significantly greater than the claimed rate of 1%.
68) Yes. The group following a vegetarian diet had a substantially lower mean blood pressure. If a vegetarian diet did not
help to reduce blood pressure, there would be a very small chance of getting these results. Yes; the difference in blood
pressure appears substantial and enough to be an important factor in health.
69) No. The new mean SAT score is not substantially higher. Even if the new teaching method had no effect, a small
increase such as this could easily be seen just by chance. No. The increase is not sufficient to be of practical significance.
70) No; The exam result of 53.7% is not substantially greater than 50%. Even if Charlie were just guessing, he could easily
do this well just by chance.
71) Yes. In these samples, the proportion of women favoring stricter gun control is substantially higher than the proportion
of men favoring stricter gun control. If the true proportions were actually equal, there would be a very small likelihood
of seeing such a large difference in the samples..
72) The x-values are not matched with the y-values, so it does not make sense to use the differences between each x-value
and the y-value that is in the same column.
73) Given the context of the data, we could address the issue of whether the two types of muffin provide the same
amounts of saturated fat, or whether there is a difference between the two types of muffin.
74) For health reasons, consumers often prefer to buy muffins which are low in saturated fat. There is an incentive for
producers to make the amount of saturated fat appear as low as possible. For this reason, the source of the data could
be suspect with a potential for bias.
75) The x-values are matched with the corresponding y-values. It makes sense to use the difference between each x-value
and the y-value that is in the same column. Both represent weights measured in pounds and both are associated with
the same person. The x-value is the weight of a person before the diet and the y-value in the same column is the
weight of the same person after the diet. The difference represents the amount of weight lost (or gained) by that
person.
76) The x-values are matched with the y-values. It does not make sense to use the difference between each x-value and
the y-value that is in the same column. The x-values are weights (in pounds) and the y-values are monthly incomes
(in dollars), so the differences are meaningless.
77) Is there a relationship or an association between a woman's weight and her monthly income?
78) No. If a correlation (or relationship or association) is found, this doesn't mean that one variable is the cause of another.
Larger weights do not cause higher incomes, but tend to be associated with higher incomes because both weight and
income are associated with a third variable, age. Older women tend to be heavier and to have higher incomes than
younger women.
79) Desk job workers are confined to their chairs for most of their work day. Other jobs require standing or walking
around which burns calories. It is probably the lack of exercise that causes higher weights, not the desk job itself. Avoid
causality altogether by saying lack of walking and exercise is associated with higher weights.
80) Headaches generally last for only a few hours, so anything would seem like a cure. There is no evidence to suggest that
taking time off work will cure a headache.
26
 CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE COMPLETE Test Bank

Answer Key
Testname: UNTITLED1

81) A sample of 3 among many students is not sufficient to conclude that playing the piano is conducive to math
achievement. Student motivation and interest in math should be considered as factors.
82) D
83) C
84) D
85) B
86) B
87) A reduction of 100% would mean that the company had reduced the number of late departures to zero which is not
plausible.
88) If a person's back pain was reduced by 100%, it would be completely eliminated, so it is not possible for a person's back
pain to be reduced by more than 100%.
89) If Jon's taxes were reduced by 100% he would be paying no taxes at all, so it is not possible for his taxes to be reduced
by more than 100%.
90) There is no context to the data. The article should include the number of people taking the medication last year and
this. More important than the number suffering serious side effects is the percentage of those taking the medication
that suffer side effects. Although fewer people suffered side effects this year, it is possible (if fewer people are taking
the medication this year) that the percentage suffering side effects has actually increased.
91) Yes. Almost all runners have considerably faster times after the training.
Yes. The differences appear to be substantial.
92) B
93) B
94) A
95) A
96) B
97) B
98) A
99) A
100) B
101) B
102) A
103) D
104) B
105) C
106) D
107) B
108) A
109) B
110) C
111) B
112) A
113) Sample: the 3 selected customers; population: all customers; not representative
114) Sample: the 100,000 selected adults; population: all adults; representative
115) Sample: the 50,000 selected college students; population: all college students; representative
116) B
117) B
118) A
119) B
120) B
121) B
122) B
27
 CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE COMPLETE Test Bank

Answer Key
Testname: UNTITLED1

123) A
124) A
125) B
126) D
127) A
128) C
129) C
130) A
131) B
132) B
133) B
134) C
135) D
136) C
137) B
138) A
139) D
140) C
141) B
142) A
143) A
144) B
145) C
146) B
147) This is systematic sampling. The sample obtained will be a random sample because everyone has the same chance of
being chosen but will not be a simple random sample as different samples of 50 people have difference chances of
being chosen. Note that the sample is random depends on the market researcher randomly selecting 20 as the starting
point prior to research.
148) This is stratified sampling. The sample obtained will not be a simple random sample because different samples of
students have different chances of being selected.
149) This is cluster sampling. The sample obtained will not be a simple random sample of all high school teachers in the
district because different samples have different chances of being selected.
150) Confounding occurs in an experiment when the effects of two or more variables cannot be distinguished from each
other. Examples will vary. One example is that of a school district that conducts a study regarding whether the
science laboratory approach or the computer simulation approach is better for learning chemistry among seniors. A
standardized achievement test is used to measure learning, and the results of the two schools are compared. Unless
controlled in the study, two confounding variables are teaching expertise and student motivation.
151) The variable of interest is the teaching method. Possible confounding variables are "skill of teacher" (is one teacher
better than the other?), "aptitude of students" (do the two classes have students of the same ability?), "amount of study
time" (does one class have students who are more conscientious?).
152) In both cluster sampling and stratified sampling, sub-groups (clusters or strata) are formed. However, in stratified
sampling, all strata are used and a sample is selected from each strata. In cluster sampling, a sample of the clusters is
first selected, then all members of those clusters are selected.
153) Answers will vary. Possible answer: Cluster sampling can save time and money and be more efficient, especially
when the clusters are geographically far apart from each other. For example, if a researcher wishes to interview a
sample of high school teachers in a school district, it will be easier to interview all the teachers at a few schools than to
interview a few teachers from many different schools.

28
 CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE COMPLETE Test Bank

Answer Key
Testname: UNTITLED1

154) Answers will vary. One answer is as follows. (1) Random: List the names of the teachers in alphabetical order from 1
through 800. Select 100 teachers by a random number computer program. (2) Systematic: Blindly select from a box
one of eight index cards, each of which has a number from 1 to 8 written on it. Sample from the alphabetized list,
beginning with that number followed by all its integral multiples until 100 teachers are selected. (3) Convenience:
Offer an incentive to the teachers, and select the first 100 volunteers. (4) Stratified: Prepare an alphabetized list of
teachers by school (i.e., strata) and randomly select teachers in proportion to school size until 100 teachers are selected.
(5) Cluster: Form 8 clusters from 8 consecutive blocks of 100 teachers in the alphabetized list. Blindly draw an index
card from the box, and whichever card is drawn, all 100 teachers in that cluster will be the sample. Making clusters
from the individual schools might not work, since the school or schools randomly selected might not have 100 teachers
in total.
155) An experiment is blind if participants do not know whether they are receiving the treatment or a placebo. Blinding
allows investigators to determine whether the treatment effect is significantly different from the placebo effect. This
experiment is not blind because participants know whether they are receiving treatment. This may make it hard to
determine to what extent improvements in the treatment group are due to the acupuncture and to what extent they are
due to the placebo effect.
156) This experiment is blind because participants do not know whether they are receiving the treatment or a placebo. This
will allows investigators to determine whether the treatment effect is significantly different from the placebo effect.
However, the experiment is not double blind because the doctors administering the medication and evaluating the
results know which participants are receiving the medication. The doctors may not be impartial and their evaluation
and analysis of results could be influenced by their knowledge of which participants are receiving the treatment.

29