Quantitative Data Analysis Methods: Master Statistical Techniques for Sport Science

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a measure of central tendency?

Accepted Answer

Standard deviation

Answer

Mean

Answer

Median

Answer

Mode

Question 2

Which of these measures how spread out data is, rather than its central point?

Accepted Answer

Standard deviation

Answer

Mean

Answer

Median

Question 3

Which of the following is a measure of variability, but NOT a measure of central tendency?

Accepted Answer

Standard deviation

Answer

Mean

Answer

Median

Answer

Mode

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT an assumption of the independent-samples t-test?

Accepted Answer

The sample sizes are small enough.

Answer

The samples are drawn from normally distributed populations.

Answer

The variances of the two populations are equal.

Question 5

What is the primary purpose of a hypothesis test?

Accepted Answer

To determine if there is a statistically significant difference between two groups or variables.

Answer

To describe the distribution of data.

Answer

To prove that a hypothesis is true.

Question 6

What is the main purpose of a correlation coefficient?

Accepted Answer

To measure the strength and direction of the linear relationship between two variables.

Answer

To determine if there is a significant difference between two groups.

Answer

To predict the value of one variable based on the value of another.

Question 7

Which statistical test is used to determine if there is a significant difference in proportions between two independent populations?

Accepted Answer

Chi-square test of independence

Answer

ANOVA

Answer

T-test

Answer

Mann-Whitney U test

Question 8

What is the distinction between descriptive and inferential statistics?

Accepted Answer

Descriptive statistics summarize and describe data, while inferential statistics make inferences about a larger population based on sample data.

Answer

Descriptive statistics are qualitative, while inferential statistics are quantitative.

Answer

Descriptive statistics are used for small datasets, while inferential statistics are used for large datasets.

Question 9

Which measure of variability is most susceptible to extreme values or outliers in a dataset?

Accepted Answer

Range

Answer

Interquartile range

Answer

Variance

Answer

Standard deviation

Question 10

In a statistical hypothesis test, what does the null hypothesis represent?

Accepted Answer

The assumption that there is no significant difference or relationship between the variables being tested.

Answer

The hypothesis that there is a significant difference or relationship between the variables being tested.

Answer

The hypothesis that the data follows a normal distribution.

Question 11

Which type of sampling method ensures that each member of the population has an equal chance of being selected?

Accepted Answer

Simple random sampling

Answer

Convenience sampling

Answer

Snowball sampling

Answer

Quota sampling

Question 12

Why is it important to consider effect sizes when interpreting research findings?

Accepted Answer

To measure the strength of a relationship between variables

Answer

To determine if a result is statistically significant

Answer

To estimate the average value of a population

Answer

To test the null hypothesis

Question 13

Which of these is NOT a key assumption of multiple regression analysis?

Accepted Answer

No strong correlation between predictor variables (multicollinearity)

Answer

Linearity between variables

Answer

Equal variance of errors (homoscedasticity)

Question 14

Which measure of shape indicates a distribution that is lopsided, with most values clustered towards one end?

Accepted Answer

Skewness

Answer

Kurtosis

Answer

Standard deviation

Answer

Variance

Question 15

Which of the following is a key assumption of parametric statistical tests?

Accepted Answer

The data is normally distributed.

Answer

The variables are independent.

Answer

The data is randomly sampled.

Answer

The sample size is large enough.

Question 16

What is the primary purpose of a scatterplot in data analysis?

Accepted Answer

To visualize the relationship between two variables.

Answer

To calculate the correlation coefficient between variables.

Answer

To determine the significance of a difference.

Question 17

Which statistical test is most appropriate for comparing the means of two independent groups?

Accepted Answer

Independent samples t-test

Answer

Paired samples t-test

Answer

One-way ANOVA

Answer

Chi-squared test

Question 18

What does the p-value in hypothesis testing represent?

Accepted Answer

The probability of obtaining the observed results by chance, assuming the null hypothesis is true.

Answer

The strength of the relationship between variables.

Answer

The likelihood that the null hypothesis is true.

Question 19

What is the main purpose of calculating an effect size in research?

Accepted Answer

To quantify the magnitude of an effect, independent of sample size.

Answer

To determine the level of statistical significance.

Answer

To ensure that the results are replicable.

Answer

To make predictions about future events.

Question 20

What is the key difference between a parametric and a non-parametric statistical test?

Accepted Answer

Parametric tests assume a normal distribution of data, while non-parametric tests do not.

Answer

Non-parametric tests are always used with categorical data.

Answer

Parametric tests are more powerful than non-parametric tests.

Question 21

What is the purpose of a confidence interval?

Accepted Answer

To provide a range of values within which the true population parameter is likely to fall.

Answer

To determine the significance of a difference.

Answer

To predict the outcome of future studies.

Question 22

Which statistical test is most appropriate for comparing the mean performance of two independent groups on a continuous variable?

Accepted Answer

Independent samples t-test

Answer

Chi-square test

Answer

One-way ANOVA

Answer

Paired samples t-test

Question 23

A researcher wants to determine if there is a significant difference in the mean sprint times of athletes before and after a training program. Which statistical test should they use?

Accepted Answer

Paired samples t-test

Answer

Independent samples t-test

Answer

Chi-square test

Answer

One-way ANOVA

Question 24

What does the p-value represent in hypothesis testing?

Accepted Answer

The probability of obtaining the observed results if the null hypothesis is true.

Answer

The probability of rejecting the null hypothesis when it is false.

Answer

The probability of accepting the null hypothesis when it is true.

Question 25

A researcher finds a significant difference in the mean jump height of two groups of athletes using an independent samples t-test. What can they conclude?

Accepted Answer

There is a statistically significant difference in jump height between the two groups.

Answer

The training program caused the difference in jump height.

Answer

The difference in jump height is practically significant.

Question 26

Which measure of variability is most appropriate for describing the spread of data in a normal distribution?

Accepted Answer

Standard deviation

Answer

Range

Answer

Interquartile range

Answer

Variance

Question 27

What is the purpose of a correlation coefficient?

Accepted Answer

To measure the strength and direction of the linear relationship between two variables.

Answer

To predict the value of one variable from another.

Answer

To determine the difference between two group means.

Question 28

Which of the following is NOT a common assumption of parametric statistical tests?

Accepted Answer

Data must be measured on a nominal scale.

Answer

Variances of groups should be equal.

Answer

Data should be independent.

Answer

Data must be normally distributed.

Question 29

A researcher wants to analyze the relationship between training volume and performance in a group of athletes. What type of analysis would be most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Regression analysis

Answer

T-test

Answer

ANOVA

Question 30

What is the main purpose of data visualization in quantitative data analysis?

Accepted Answer

To communicate findings effectively and make data patterns easier to understand.

Answer

To perform statistical calculations.

Answer

To collect and organize raw data.

Question 31

Which of the following is a commonly used data visualization tool for displaying the distribution of a continuous variable?

Accepted Answer

Histogram

Answer

Scatterplot

Answer

Pie chart

Answer

Bar chart