Section Exercise 1-5 (Static)
(a) How much statistics does a business student need to know? (You may select more than one answer. Single click the box with the question mark to produce a check mark for a correct answer and double click the box with the question mark to empty the box for a wrong answer. Any boxes left with a question mark will be automatically graded as incorrect.)
check all that apply 1
⦁ Not much – consultants do most of the statistical analysis.unanswered
⦁ Enough to handle everyday data problems.unanswered
⦁ Enough to feel confident discussing a colleague’s data analysis.unanswered
⦁ Enough to know when to call in a statistical expert.unanswered
Answer:??
(b-1) How can you tell when the point has been reached where you should call for an expert statistician?
multiple choice
⦁ When you’ve reached the limit of your statistical expertise.
⦁ When your boss asks for a report of last week’s sales data and you had planned to leave work early.
⦁ When you’re looking for a promotion.
(b-2) List some benefits that would govern the decision to call an expert statistician. (You may select more than one answer. Single click the box with the question mark to produce a check mark for a correct answer and double click the box with the question mark to empty the box for a wrong answer. Any boxes left with a question mark will be automatically graded as incorrect.)
check all that apply 2
⦁ Better sampling strategies, which can result in more useful data.unanswered
⦁ Better understanding of what information can be extracted from the data.unanswered
⦁ Greater confidence in the results.unanswered
⦁ Projects are always delivered on time.
2)
Ergonomics is the science of making sure that human surroundings are adapted to human needs. How could statistics play a role in the following:
⦁ Choosing the height of an office chair so that 95 percent of the employees (male and female) will feel it is the “right height” for their legs to reach the floor comfortably.
⦁ Designing a drill press so its controls can be reached and its forces operated by an “average employee.”
⦁ Defining a doorway width so that a “typical” wheelchair can pass through without coming closer than 6 inches from either side.
⦁ Setting the width of a parking space to accommodate 95 percent of all vehicles at your local Walmart.
⦁ Choosing a font size so that a highway sign can be read in daylight at 100 meters by 95 percent of all drivers.
Multiple Choice
⦁
All of these involve taking samples from the population of interest and estimating the value of the variable of interest.
⦁
All of these require the designer to take a census of the population that will be using the chair, drill press, doorway, parking space, or highway signs, in order to ensure 100 percent are accommodated.
⦁
All of these product specifications could be determined by a smart engineer or designer who represents the “typical” person using each of the products.
⦁
None of these responses.
Answer: ???
3)
A National Health Interview Survey conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that using a cell phone instead of a landline appeared to double a person’s chances of binge drinking. “I guess I’d better give up my cell phone,” said Bob.
Which fallacy, do you see in Bob’s reasoning? (You may select more than one answer. Single click the box with the question mark to produce a check mark for a correct answer and double click the box with the question mark to empty the box for a wrong answer. Any boxes left with a question mark will be automatically graded as incorrect.)
check all that apply
⦁ Pitfall 4: Poor Survey Methodsunanswered
⦁ Pitfall 5: Assuming a Causal Linkunanswered
⦁ Pitfall 6: Generalization to Individualsunanswered
⦁ Pitfall 7: Unconscious Bias
Answer: ??
4)
“Smokers are much more likely to speed, run red lights, and get involved in car accidents than nonsmokers.”
(a) Can you think of reasons why this statement might be misleading? (You may select more than one answer. Single click the box with the question mark to produce a check mark for a correct answer and double click the box with the question mark to empty the box for a wrong answer. Any boxes left with a question mark will be automatically graded as incorrect.)
check all that apply
⦁ Nonsmokers never speed.
⦁ Nonsmokers always follow traffic lights.
⦁ Smokers are safe drivers.
⦁ The phrase “much more” is not quantified.
⦁ The study report is not mentioned.
(b) Can you suggest a causal link between smoking and car accidents?
multiple choice
⦁ Many people tend to speed when smoking.
⦁ Smokers always run red lights.
⦁ Smokers might pay less attention to driving when lighting a cigarette.
⦁ Smokers are careless drivers.
Answer: ???
5) A recent study of 231,164 New Jersey heart attack patients showed that those admitted on a weekday had a 12.0 percent death rate in the next three years, compared with 12.9 percent for those admitted on a weekend. This difference was statistically significant. “That’s too small to have any practical importance,” said Sarah.
Do you agree with Sarah’s conclusion?
multiple choice
⦁ Yes
No
Answer: ???Yes or No
6) Lacrosse helmets are not needed,” said Tom. “None of the guys on my team have ever had head injuries.”
Select the correct fallacy in Tom’s reasoning?
Multiple Choice
⦁
Pitfall 1: Conclusions from Small Samples
⦁
Pitfall 2: Conclusions from Nonrandom Samples
⦁
Pitfall 4: Poor Survey Methods
⦁
Pitfall 5: Assuming a Causal Link
Answer: ???????????
7) A research study showed that adolescents who watched more than 4 hours of TV per day were more than five times as likely to start smoking as those who watched less than 2 hours a day. The researchers speculate that TV actors’ portrayals of smoking as personally and socially rewarding were an effective indirect method of tobacco promotion.
List the factors that you think cause adolescents to start smoking. (You may select more than one answer. Single click the box with the question mark to produce a check mark for a correct answer and double click the box with the question mark to empty the box for a wrong answer. Any boxes left with a question mark will be automatically graded as incorrect.)
check all that apply
⦁ Curiosity
⦁ Parents who smoke
⦁ Friends who smoke
⦁ Seeing teenagers smoke in movies and TV
⦁ Boredom
Answer: ???????
