/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 1 Suppose you wish to compare the ... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91Ó°ÊÓ

91Ó°ÊÓ

Suppose you wish to compare the average class size of mathematics classes to the average class size of English classes in your high school. Which is the most appropriate technique for gathering the needed data? (A) Census (B) Sample survey (C) Experiment (D) Observational study (E) None of these methods is appropriate.

Short Answer

Expert verified
(B) Sample survey

Step by step solution

01

- Understand the Requirement

To compare the average class sizes of mathematics and English classes, data on class size in both subjects is required.
02

- Define Techniques

Understand each data gathering technique: (A) Census: Collects data from every member of the population. (B) Sample survey: Collects data from a subset of the population. (C) Experiment: Involves manipulating one variable to see the effect on another. (D) Observational study: Involves collecting data without manipulation. (E) None: Implies none of the above methods would work.
03

- Evaluate Techniques

Evaluate each one:- Census: Impractical to gather data from every class in the school.- Sample survey: Efficient and practical, can represent the entire population if done correctly.- Experiment: Not appropriate, since manipulation of variables is not required.- Observational study: Suitable for collecting existing class sizes without manipulation but may lack representativeness if all classes aren’t observed.- None: Not suitable, appropriate methods exist.
04

- Choose the Best Technique

The most suitable technique is (B) Sample survey, as it allows for practical and representative data collection from a subset of classes.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!

Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Census
A census aims to gather data from every individual in a population. Imagine trying to find the average size of all mathematics and English classes by including every single class in your high school. This would mean counting students in each class without missing any.
This method is highly accurate because it considers everyone, leaving no room for sampling error. However, it can be impractical and time-consuming for large populations, like a whole school. Thus, while it's thorough, a census isn't always the best choice for efficiency, especially if resources are limited.
Sample Survey
Sample surveys involve collecting data from a subset of the population and using that to infer conclusions about the whole population. Suppose you randomly select a few math and English classes and determine their sizes. From this, you estimate the average class size for each subject in the entire school.
This technique is practical and time-efficient. When done correctly, with a well-chosen sample, it provides a reliable representation of the population without the exhaustive effort required by a census. This is why it is often preferred in many research settings, including the given problem of comparing class sizes.
Observational Study
An observational study involves collecting data without manipulating any variables. You simply observe and record what naturally occurs. In the context of examining class sizes, this would mean noting down the sizes of math and English classes as they currently exist without any intervention.
While straightforward and non-intrusive, observational studies might miss broader representativeness if they don't cover all variations within the population. However, it can still offer valuable insights, particularly when intervention is neither possible nor ethical.
Data Collection Techniques
Several data collection techniques are employed in research to gather the necessary information:
  • Census: Comprehensive but often impractical for large groups.
  • Sample Survey: Efficient and representative if the sample is chosen correctly.
  • Experiment: Involves variable manipulation to observe effects, not suitable for simply comparing class sizes.
  • Observational Study: Non-intrusive data gathering without intervention, may lack full population representation.
  • None: Implies no suitable method exists, less likely when there are available techniques fitting the research requirements.
Choosing the right technique depends on the research goals, population size, and available resources.

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

When the estrogen-blocking drug tamoxifen was first introduced to treat breast cancer, there was concern that it would cause osteoporosis as a side effect. To test this concern, cancer subjects were randomly selected and given tamoxifen, and their bone density was measured before and after treatment. Which of the following is a true statement? (A) This study was an observational study. (B) This study was a sample survey of randomly selected cancer patients. (C) This study was an experiment in which the subjects were used as their own controls. (D) With the given procedure, there cannot be a placebo effect. (E) Causation cannot be concluded without knowing the survival rates.

A consumer product agency tests miles per gallon for a sample of automobiles using each of four different octanes of gasoline. Which of the following is true? (A) There are four explanatory variables and one response variable. (B) There is one explanatory variable with four levels of response. (C) Miles per gallon is the only explanatory variable, but there are four response variables corresponding to the different octanes. D) There are four levels of a single explanatory variable. (E) Each explanatory level has an associated level of response.

Do teenagers prefer sports drinks colored blue or green? Two different colorings, which have no effect on taste, are used on an identical drink to result in either a blue or a green beverage. Volunteer teenagers are randomly assigned to drink one or the other colored beverage, and the volunteers then rate the beverage on a one to ten scale. Because of concern that sports interest may affect the outcome, the volunteers are first blocked by whether or not they play on a high school sports team. Is blinding possible in this experiment? (A) No, because the volunteers know whether they are drinking a blue or a green drink. (B) No, because the volunteers know whether or not they play on a high school sports team. (C) Yes, by having the experimenter in a separate room randomly pick one of two containers and remotely having a drink poured from that container. (D) Yes, by having the statistician analyzing the results not knowing which volunteer sampled which drink. (E) Yes, by having the volunteers drink out of solid black thermoses so that they don't know the color of the drink they are tasting.

School uniforms are being adopted by U.S. public schools in increasing numbers. Two possible wordings for a question on whether or not students should have to wear school uniforms are as follows: I. Many educators believe in creating a level playing field to reduce socioeconomic disparities. Do you believe that students should have to wear school uniforms? II. Many sociologists believe that students have a right to express their individuality. Do you believe that students should have to wear school uniforms? One of these questions showed that \(18 \%\) of the population favors school uniforms, while the other question showed that \(23 \%\) of the population favors school uniforms. Which question probably produced which result and why? (A) The first question probably showed \(23 \%\) of the population favors school uniforms, and the second question probably showed \(18 \%\) because of the lack of randomization in the choice of pro-uniform and antiuniform arguments as evidenced by the wording of the questions. (B) The first question probably showed \(18 \%\) and the second question probably showed \(23 \%\) because of stratification in the wording of the questions. (C) The first question probably showed \(23 \%\) and the second question probably showed \(18 \%\) because of the lack of a neutral cluster in the sample. (D) The first question probably showed \(18 \%\) and the second question probably showed \(23 \%\) because of response bias due to the wording of the questions. (E) The first question probably showed \(23 \%\) and the second question probably showed \(18 \%\) because of response bias due to the wording of the questions.

Some researchers believe that too much iron in the blood can raise the level of cholesterol. The iron level in the blood can be lowered by making periodic blood donations. A study is performed by randomly selecting half of a group of volunteers to give periodic blood donations while the rest do not. Is this an experiment or an observational study? (A) An experiment with a single factor (B) An experiment with control group and blinding (C) An experiment with blocking (D) An observational study with comparison and randomization (E) An observational study with little, if any, bias

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Math Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.