Test Bank for The Analysis of Biological Data, 3e

for The Analysis of Biological Data, 3e Michael Whitlock, Dolph Schluter (All Chapters Download link at the end of this file) Chapter_01

• In ______ studies, subjects are randomly assigned to treatment groups, whereas in ______ studies, subjects

are assigned to treatment groups for reasons beyond the control of the researchers.

a. experimental : observational

b. observational : experimental

c. scientific : unscientific

d. unscientific : scientific

ANSWER: a

• When considering the deviation between calculated statistics and the true parameter, how consistently the

statistics generate similar values is referred to as defining their ______ , whereas how close the statistics are to the true parameter defines their ______.

a. accuracy : precision

b. precision : accuracy

c. robustness : quality

d. quality : robustness

ANSWER: a

• Which best describes the use of statistics to understand reality?
• We use data from a sample and concepts from statistics to make estimates about populations.
• We use data from a population and concepts from statistics to make estimates about samples.
• We use data to compare samples to populations.
• We use concepts from statistics to improve our estimates of sample characteristics.

ANSWER: a

• Which of the following is correct?
• Populations are described by parameters, whereas samples provide estimates or statistics.
• Populations are described by estimates, whereas samples provide parameters or statistics.
• Populations are described by statistics, whereas samples provide estimates or parameters.
• Populations are described by statistics or parameters, whereas samples provide estimates.

ANSWER: a

• Which of the following is a valid statistical hypothesis?
• The mean blood pressure of a population of people taking an experimental drug is higher than the

mean for a population of those who don't.

• The mean temperature of a sample of patients administered ice packs is lower than the mean of a

sample given a blanket.

• The range of height values for wild giraffes is larger than the range of heights for giraffes in

captivity.

• Colonies of E. Coli exposed to high salt levels reproduce more slowly than ones exposed to low salt 1 / 2

levels.

ANSWER: a

• Which of the following is the best definition of estimation?
• Increasing a sample yields better data.
• Predicting a measured value before the measurements begin.
• The process of rounding values to specific degrees of accuracy.
• Using sample data to infer population data.

ANSWER: d

• Other terms for a "sampling unit" include all of the following, except one.
• Individual
• Replicate
• Statistic
• Subject

ANSWER: c

• Ideal samples are unbiased; which of the following terms is a synonym for unbiased in this context?
• Accurate
• Centered
• Precise
• Proportional

ANSWER: a

• Sampling error is defined as differences between the estimate and the estimated parameter due to which of

the following?

• Bias in the sample.
• Errors due to rounding sample statistics too much.
• Mistakes during sampling.
• Randomness during sampling.

ANSWER: d

• Consider the figure showing the final position of balls dropped that had been aimed at the indentation.

Which of the plots shows the situation best described as good accuracy, good precision?

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