Deck 11: Inferential Statistics

Question 1

Null hypotheses are used in statistics because:

A) use of other types of hypotheses shows that the researcher is biased
B) they are more easily understood than other types of hypotheses
C) they are required by the logic of tests of statistical significance
D) they simplify computations

Answer 1

they are required by the logic of tests of statistical significance

Question 2

A sample of 13 children has a mean IQ of 112 and a standard deviation of 15. Is it likely that this could be a random sample from a population whose mean is known to be 113.5?

A) Yes, it is likely that a random sample mean could deviate that much from a population mean.
B) No, a random sample mean could not deviate that much from a population mean.
C) No, the calculations are incorrect.
D) The question cannot be answered on the basis of the information given.

Answer 2

Yes, it is likely that a random sample mean could deviate that much from a population mean.

Question 3

One type of null hypothesis is:

A) an experimental hypothesis that does not imply empirical testing
B) a statistical hypothesis that assumes there are differences of varying sizes among the effects of different treatments
C) an experimental hypothesis that has been found to be inconsistent with empirical data
D) a statistical hypothesis that states there are no differences among the effects of treatments

Answer 3

a statistical hypothesis that states there are no differences among the effects of treatments

Question 4

The purpose of inferential statistics is:

A) to describe the results of a study
B) to test whether results support the research hypothesis
C) to permit inferences from sample results to a population
D) to verify the accuracy of descriptive statistics

Question 5

An assumption basic to all inferential statistics is:

A) the sample(s) must be randomly selected
B) measurements must be on an interval scale
C) sample size must be over 30
D) the null hypothesis is true

Question 6

A sampling distribution is:

A) a distribution of scores in a sample
B) a frequency polygon made from sample values
C) a frequency distribution of population values
D) a frequency polygon based on all the scores in a population

Question 7

The inference test used when both variables are categorical is:

A) the t test for r
B) the Mann-Whitney U test
C) Chi-Square
D) the Sign test

Question 8

The determination of statistical significance of a mean makes use of:

A) the correspondence between z-scores and areas under the normal curve
B) the relationship between raw scores and percentile values
C) the calculation of the range of scores
D) the relationship between a frequency distribution and a frequency polygon

Question 9

Establishing a 95% confidence interval enables a researcher to:

A) state the values that encompass all but 95% of the sample scores
B) state the values that encompass 95% of the sample scores
C) state the values that encompass 95% of the population parameters
D) state the values that encompass the population parameters in 95% of such instances

Question 10

The standard deviation of a sampling distribution of means is called:

A) the standard error of the mean
B) the standard error of the difference in means
C) the standard error of measurement
D) a z-score

Question 11

If p <.01, a researcher would:

A) accept the null hypothesis
B) reject the null hypothesis
C) reject the research hypothesis
D) none of the above

Question 12

If p <.10, the researcher will be:

A) wrong in rejecting the null hypothesis 10 times in 100
B) wrong in accepting the null hypothesis 10 times in 100
C) right in rejecting the null hypothesis 10 times in 100
D) right in accepting the null hypothesis 10 times in 100

Question 13

Calculation of the contingency coefficient requires:

A) calculation of the standard deviation
B) calculation of Chi-Square
C) calculation of the median
D) calculation of the standard error of the mean

Question 14

A one-tailed test of statistical significance is appropriate when:

A) no research hypothesis was stated
B) a nondirectional research hypothesis was stated
C) a directional research hypothesis was stated
D) the data show a skewed frequency polygon

Question 15

A disadvantage of nonparametric inference tests is that they:

A) are less likely to show statistical significance than parametric tests
B) require more assumptions than parametric tests
C) require more valid data than parametric tests
D) are harder to calculate than parametric tests

Question 16

A hypothesis which states that the experimental group mean will be higher than the control group mean should:

A) not use a test of statistical significance
B) use a one-tailed test of statistical significance
C) use a two-tailed test of statistical significance
D) use a Chi-Square test

Question 17

The purpose of a confidence interval is to:

A) determine whether a relationship is of practical importance
B) assess the validity of scores
C) determine the range of sample scores
D) establish boundaries of population parameters

Question 18

An advantage of nonparametric inference tests is that they:

A) are more sensitive than parametric tests
B) require the use of only a nominal scale
C) require a smaller sample than parametric tests
D) require fewer assumptions than parametric tests

Question 19

The magnitude of sampling error of a mean depends on:

A) the size of the sample mean and the sample size
B) sample size and sample spread
C) sample spread and the magnitude of the mean
D) the size of the population mean and sample size

Question 20

If the null hypothesis is rejected:

A) the research hypothesis is rejected
B) the research hypothesis is accepted
C) the research results cannot be interpreted
D) the research hypothesis is proven

Question 21

The magnitude of Chi-Square depends on the:

A) number of degrees of freedom
B) size of the sample
C) total number of categories
D) differences between observed and expected frequencies

Question 22

Which of the following inference tests is not appropriate for a comparison of two means in a causal comparative study?

A) The Mann-Whitney U test
B) ANOVA
C) Chi-Square
D) A t test for independent means

Question 23

Which of the following inference tests is appropriate for a comparison of rankings of two groups in a causal comparative study?

A) The Mann-Whitney U test
B) ANOVA
C) A t test for correlated means
D) A t test for independent means

Question 24

Which of the following inference tests is appropriate for a comparison of means in an experiment in which each subject receives both treatments?

A) The Mann-Whitney U test
B) Chi-Square
C) A t test for correlated means
D) A t test for independent means

Question 25

Which of the following inference tests is appropriate for a comparison of means of four independent groups in an experimental study?

A) The Mann-Whitney U test
B) ANOVA
C) A t test for correlated means
D) A t test for independent means

Question 26

Matching

-Parametric statistical test

A) Null hypothesis testing
B) Mean, median, and mode
C) Relative occurrence
D) ANOVA
E) Boundaries

Question 27

Matching

-Inferential statistics

A) Null hypothesis testing
B) Mean, median, and mode
C) Relative occurrence
D) ANOVA
E) Boundaries

Question 28

Matching

-Descriptive statistics

A) Null hypothesis testing
B) Mean, median, and mode
C) Relative occurrence
D) ANOVA
E) Boundaries

Question 29

Matching

-Probability

A) Null hypothesis testing
B) Mean, median, and mode
C) Relative occurrence
D) ANOVA
E) Boundaries

Question 30

Matching

-Confidence intervals

A) Null hypothesis testing
B) Mean, median, and mode
C) Relative occurrence
D) ANOVA
E) Boundaries

Question 31

The techniques of inferential statistics differ depending on which type of data a researcher wishes to analyze.

Question 32

If the result of a study is deemed statistically significant, it has practical significance and thus real-world application.