Exam 1: Introduction to Data

Choose the best answer to complete the statement: "In a statistical context, the term variable is used. . ."

Which of the following is not an example of data?

Name two of the four key features of a well-designed controlled experiment. When is it important to have a well-designed controlled experiment?

Use the following description of a controlled experiment: Two similar kindergarten classrooms, each containing 20-25 students, have agreed to participate in a study to see if incorporating math manipulatives into the teacher's lesson improves understanding of new concepts in geometry, like recognizing shapes and similarities in shapes. The teacher in one classroom gives a standard lesson without the use of manipulatives then gives a three-question quiz about the new geometry concepts that were taught. The teacher in the second classroom gives a geometry lesson that incorporates the use of math manipulatives. The same three-question quiz is given and the scores of the two classrooms are compared to see whether the use of math manipulatives improved quiz scores. -Which features of a well-designed control experiment does this study have? Which features are missing?

A sticker on a new car advertises that it gets 34 miles per gallon, but cautions that results may vary. Explain what variation means in this context.

The ethnicity of the individual respondents in a political poll of a randomly selected group of adults is an example of what type of variable?

Time Magazine online posted an article that claims that a long work commute (45 minutes or more) is harmful to overall well-being and can contribute to obesity, stress, and loneliness (www.healthland.time.com/2011). Is this more likely to be an observational study or a controlled experiment? Why? Can the reader conclude that taking a job with a long commute will result in poorer health?

The average gas mileage of the top selling mini-vans for each U. S. car manufacturer is an example of what type of variable?

Use the following description of a controlled experiment: Two similar kindergarten classrooms, each containing 20-25 students, have agreed to participate in a study to see if incorporating math manipulatives into the teacher's lesson improves understanding of new concepts in geometry, like recognizing shapes and similarities in shapes. The teacher in one classroom gives a standard lesson without the use of manipulatives then gives a three-question quiz about the new geometry concepts that were taught. The teacher in the second classroom gives a geometry lesson that incorporates the use of math manipulatives. The same three-question quiz is given and the scores of the two classrooms are compared to see whether the use of math manipulatives improved quiz scores. -In this study, what is the treatment variable and the response variable?

A group of adults was given a new high protein breakfast bar then asked to record their level of alertness just before lunchtime. In this example,_{--------------------} is the treatment variable and_{--------------------} is the outcome variable.

Indicate whether the study described is an observational study or a controlled experiment. -Which of the following measurements is likely to have the most variation?

Indicate whether the study described is an observational study or a controlled experiment. -The obesity rates of elementary age children living in urban areas are compared to those living in rural areas to see whether children in urban settings have higher obesity rates.

Indicate whether the study described is an observational study or a controlled experiment. -"People with diabetes are at higher risk for certain cancers than those without the blood sugar disease, suggests a new study based on a telephone survey of nearly 400,000 adults."

A sample of 984 voters was asked in a survey, "Do you support your state's helmet law for motorcycles? " The results are summarized in a two-way table: Male Female Support the helmet law 214 380 Oppose the helmet law 185 205 -Based on this sample, are women more or less likely to oppose the helmet law than men?

Indicate whether the study described is an observational study or a controlled experiment. -A group of students is divided into two groups. One group is a given a new chewable vitamin and the other group is given a placebo. After six months they are asked to fill out a questionnaire and given a health exam to see whether the new vitamin has health benefits that are better than a Placebo.

Indicate whether the study described is an observational study or a controlled experiment. -A group of students is divided into two groups. One group listens to classical music while taking a math test and the other group takes the test in silence. The average test scores of the two groups are compared to see whether listening to music during a math test has an effect on scores.

Answer the question using the following table showing fatal injury counts by four major categories from 2004-2009 for Michigan Residents. The table shows total counts for all ages and both sexes. Fatal injuries Unintentional Injuries 3,244 3,353 3,496 3,655 3,624 3,589 Self-inflicted/Suicide 1,096 1,103 1,132 1,123 1,173 1,164 Assault/Homicide 672 673 720 702 642 658 All other fatal injuries 466 404 414 446 446 506 All fatal Injuries 5,478 5,533 5,762 5,926 5,885 5,917 -Was this data collected using an observational study or a controlled experiment?

In a survey, married couples were asked, "Do you have children?" The response was electronically recorded as a "1" for yes and a "0" for no. This is an example of_{--------------------} .

Which of the following is not an example of data?

In a sample of 775 senior citizens, approximately 67% said that they had seen a television commercial for life insurance. About how many senior citizens is this?