Instructions
This Discussion Board requires you to answer four questions. For each question, do not simply provide an answer; make sure you explain how you arrived at that answer. Please see the corresponding grading rubric to see how each question is assessed. This is an opportunity for you to show your knowledge and understanding of the weekly concepts. You are strongly encouraged to respond to your classmates’ posts with positive and meaningful feedback and will receive up to one point extra credit per discussion board if you do so. This is meant to be a place where we can learn from one another in an engaging and supportive way!
Questions
1. ESP: For several years, the U.S. General Social Survey asked subjects, “How often have you felt as though you were felt you were in touch with or connected with someone when they were far away from you?” Of 3887 sampled subjects who had an opinion, 1407 said never and 2480 said at least once.
a. Describe the population of interest.
b. Calculate the descriptive statistics (sample proportions).
c. What is the population parameter we want to draw conclusions about (make an inference about)?
2. Use critical thinking to develop an alternative conclusion. A study shows that the number of reported sexually transmitted diseases was significantly higher for high schools that offered courses in sex education than for high schools that did not. Conclusion: The introduction of sex education courses at the high school level has resulted in increased promiscuity among teens.
3. An engineer is designing a machine to manufacture gloves and she obtains the following sample of hand lengths (mm) of randomly selected adult males based on data gathered:
173 179 207 158 196 195 214 199
a. Define this data set as discrete or continuous.
b. Hand lengths are what type of level of measurement?
c. Compare the mean and median for this data set and if you can draw any conclusions from these values.
4. Explain the difference between stratified and cluster sampling. Why do you think that cluster sampling is frequently used in practice?
Grading
This discussion is worth 4 points and your post (with optional reply or replies) are due on Sunday. For more specifics on how this will be graded, refer to the rubric.
