MAT 130: Beginning Statistics

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Student Name

Allied American University

Author Note

This paper was prepared for [INSERT COURSE NAME], [INSERT COURSE ASSIGNMENT] taught by [INSERT INSTRUCTOR’S NAME].

PART I: SHORT RESPONSE

Directions: Please answer each of the following questions thoroughly.

1. Seventy-two percent of Americans squeeze their toothpaste tube from the top. This and other not-so-serious findings are included in The First Really Important Survey of American Habits. Those results are based on 7,000 responses from the 25,000 questionnaires that were mailed.

a. What is the percentage of questionnaires that were completed based on the number of responses?

b. What drawbacks do you see in using this type of data collecting?

c. As stated, the value of 72% refers to all Americans, so is that 72% a statistic or a parameter?

d. Does the survey constitute an observational study or an experiment?

2. How do a parameter and a statistic differ?

3. How do quantitative data and categorical data differ?

4. How do discrete data and continuous data differ?

5. What is a voluntary response sample, and why is it generally unsuitable for methods of statistics?

6. What is the difference between statistical significance and practical significance?

7. What is the difference between a random sample and a simple random sample?

8. What is the difference between an observational study and an experiment?

9. A New York Times editorial criticized a chart caption that described a dental rinse as one that “reduces plaque on teeth by over 300%.” What is wrong with that statement?

10. Answer the following questions regarding a recent Gallup poll:

a. In a Gallup poll of 976 adults, 68 said that they have a drink every day. What is the percentage of respondents who said that they have a drink every day?

b. Among the 976 adults surveyed, 32% said that they never drink. What is the actual number of surveyed adults who said that they never drink?

11. ABC News conducts an election day poll by randomly selecting voting precincts in New York, then interviewing all voters as they leave those precincts.

a. Does this sampling plan result in a random sample? Explain.

b. Does this sampling plan result in a simple random sample? Explain.

12. A common way of classifying data is to use four levels of measurement: nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio. Create an example in which each type of measurement is used.

a. Nominal example

b. Ordinal example

c. Interval example

d. Ratio example

13. You have been commissioned to conduct a job survey of graduates from your college. Describe procedures for obtaining a sample of each type:

a. Random

b. Systematic

c. Convenience

d. Stratified

e. Cluster

14. In “Cardiovascular Effects of Intravenous Triiodothyronine in Patients Underdoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery” (Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol. 275, No. 9), the authors explain that patients were assigned to one of three groups: (1) a group treated with triidothyronine, (2) a group treated with normal saline bolus and dopamine, and (3) a placebo group given normal saline. The authors summarize the sample design as a “prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.” Describe the meaning of each of the following terms in the context of this study:

a. prospective

b. randomized

c. double-blind

d. placebo-controlled

15. Find a professional journal with an article in AAU’s LIRN library that uses a statistical analysis of an experiment and answer the following:

a. Cite the article.

b. Describe and comment on the design of the experiment.

c. Identify one particular issue and determine whether the result was found to be statistically significant.

d. Determine whether that same result has practical significance.

Note: Please visit the Academic Resource Center for a helpful guide on how to use LIRN.

PART II: PROJECT

Directions: This assignment is a course-long project whereby you will work on the project in each module. You will turn in your completed project at the end of Module 8.

Create a survey question to ask others. The following are examples or some survey questions:

1. Choose a random number between 1 and 10 inclusive.

2. What month of the year does your birthday fall on? Write the numeric value from 1 to 12.

3. How many keys are in your possession at this time?

4. How many siblings do you have?

In Module 1, you will submit your survey question to your instructor for approval. Once you are notified of its approval, you may begin conducting a survey using your question.

You will need at least 25 participants and will need to keep the following record for each person:

a. Gender

b. Age

c. Date surveyed

d. Survey response

Please also keep a count, if any, non-willing participants. For example, if you chose the first survey question, then you might have the following records:

In the Module 8 Homework Assignment, you will be asked to analyze your survey results, so please be sure to begin conducting your survey as soon as your question is approved. Try getting 5 participants a week to satisfy the required number of participants.