This module presents students with a number of problems related to statistical sampling and data. In particular, students are asked to demonstrate understanding of concepts such as frequency, relative frequency, and cumulative relative frequency, random samples, quantitative vs. qualitative data, continuous vs. discrete data, and other key terms related to sampling and data.
For each item below:
Identify the type of data (quantitative - discrete, quantitative - continuous, or qualitative) that would be used to describe a response.
Give an example of the data.
Number of tickets sold to a concert
Amount of body fat
Favorite baseball team
Time in line to buy groceries
Number of students enrolled at Evergreen Valley College
Most–watched television show
Brand of toothpaste
Distance to the closest movie theatre
Age of executives in Fortune 500 companies
Number of competing computer spreadsheet software packages
quantitative - discrete
quantitative - continuous
qualitative
quantitative - continuous
quantitative - discrete
qualitative
qualitative
quantitative - continuous
quantitative - continuous
quantitative - discrete
A fitness center is interested in the average amount of time a client exercises in the center each week. Define the following in terms of the study. Give examples where appropriate.
Population
Sample
Parameter
Statistic
Variable
Data
Ski resorts are interested in the average age that children take their first ski and snowboard lessons. They need this information to optimally plan their ski classes. Define the following in terms of the study. Give examples where appropriate.
Population
Sample
Parameter
Statistic
Variable
Data
Children who take ski or snowboard lessons
A group of these children
The population average
The sample average
= the age of one child who takes the first ski or snowboard lesson
A value for
, such as 3, 7, etc.
A cardiologist is interested in the average recovery period for her patients who have had heart attacks. Define the following in terms of the study. Give examples where appropriate.
Population
Sample
Parameter
Statistic
Variable
Data
Insurance companies are interested in the average health costs each year for their clients, so that they can determine the costs of health insurance. Define the following in terms of the study. Give examples where appropriate.
Population
Sample
Parameter
Statistic
Variable
Data
The clients of the insurance companies
A group of the clients
The average health costs of the clients
The average health costs of the sample
= the health costs of one client
A value for
, such as 34, 9, 82, etc.
A politician is interested in the proportion of voters in his district that think he is doing a good job. Define the following in terms of the study. Give examples where appropriate.
Population
Sample
Parameter
Statistic
Variable
Data
A marriage counselor is interested in the proportion the clients she counsels that stay married. Define the following in terms of the study. Give examples where appropriate.
Population
Sample
Parameter
Statistic
Variable
Data
All the clients of the counselor
A group of the clients
The proportion of all her clients who stay married
