Master Statistical Analysis for Media Research: Quizzes and Practice

Question 1

Which of the following is a measure of how spread out the data is, rather than a measure of the middle of the data?

Accepted Answer

Variance

Answer

Mean

Answer

Median

Answer

Mode

Question 2

Which of the following is a measure of **descriptive** statistics?

Accepted Answer

Mean

Answer

Hypothesis test

Answer

Chi-square test

Answer

ANOVA

Question 3

What is the primary purpose of a null hypothesis in statistical hypothesis testing?

Accepted Answer

To establish the expected result if no treatment effect exists.

Answer

To reject the alternative hypothesis if the observed data is too extreme.

Answer

To calculate the probability of obtaining the observed results.

Answer

To determine the sample size needed for the study.

Question 4

Which of the following **is not** a measure of central tendency?

Accepted Answer

Standard deviation

Answer

Mean

Answer

Median

Answer

Mode

Question 5

What is the **key** distinction between a qualitative and quantitative variable?

Accepted Answer

Qualitative variables are categorical and quantitative variables are numerical.

Answer

Quantitative variables are categorical and qualitative variables are numerical.

Answer

Both qualitative and quantitative variables can be categorical or numerical.

Answer

There is no difference between qualitative and quantitative variables.

Question 6

Which of the following is a non-parametric statistical test?

Accepted Answer

Chi-square test

Answer

t-test

Answer

ANOVA

Answer

Pearson correlation

Question 7

What is the interpretation of a p-value less than 0.05 in hypothesis testing?

Accepted Answer

The null hypothesis is rejected.

Answer

The null hypothesis is accepted.

Answer

The alternative hypothesis is accepted.

Answer

The alternative hypothesis is rejected.

Question 8

What is a key difference between a cross-sectional and a longitudinal study design?

Accepted Answer

Cross-sectional studies collect data at one point in time, while longitudinal studies collect data over time.

Answer

Longitudinal studies collect data at one point in time, while cross-sectional studies collect data over time.

Answer

Both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies collect data over time.

Answer

There is no difference between cross-sectional and longitudinal studies.

Question 9

Which of the following is a potential source of bias that is particularly relevant to qualitative research?

Accepted Answer

Researcher bias

Answer

Sampling error

Answer

Measurement error

Question 10

In hypothesis testing, what is the primary role of the null hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

To serve as a reference point for evaluating the alternative hypothesis

Answer

To establish the hypothesis that is being tested

Answer

To guarantee the statistical significance of the test results

Answer

To demonstrate the validity of the alternative hypothesis

Question 11

When a statistical test yields a significant result, but the effect size is small, researchers should consider which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The result may be due to chance.

Answer

The result is always meaningful, regardless of the effect size.

Answer

The result is only meaningful if the sample size is large.

Answer

The result is meaningless if the p-value is close to 0.05.

Question 12

Which measure of central tendency represents the value that occurs most frequently in a dataset?

Accepted Answer

Mode

Answer

Range

Answer

Mean

Answer

Median

Question 13

Which of the following statistical tests is a non-parametric test?

Accepted Answer

Chi-square test

Answer

t-test (two sample means)

Answer

Regression analysis

Answer

ANOVA (analysis of variance)

Question 14

Which of the following measures summarizes the central value of a data set?

Accepted Answer

Measure of central tendency

Answer

Measure of correlation

Answer

Measure of skewness

Answer

Measure of dispersion

Question 15

What is the primary difference between descriptive and inferential statistics?

Accepted Answer

Descriptive statistics summarize data, while inferential statistics allow us to make generalizations about a population based on a sample.

Answer

Descriptive statistics focus on individual data points, while inferential statistics focus on groups of data.

Answer

Descriptive statistics are quantitative, while inferential statistics are qualitative.

Question 16

In hypothesis testing, which hypothesis assumes that there is no significant difference between two groups?

Accepted Answer

Null hypothesis

Answer

Research hypothesis

Answer

Alternative hypothesis

Question 17

In hypothesis testing, what does the p-value represent?

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

The probability of obtaining the observed results assuming the alternative hypothesis is true.

Answer

The level of significance of the test.

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of a non-parametric statistical test?

Accepted Answer

Chi-square test

Answer

ANOVA

Answer

t-test

Answer

Regression analysis

Question 19

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 whether there is a statistically significant difference between two groups.

Answer

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

Question 20

What is the key difference between a confidence interval and a prediction interval?

Accepted Answer

A confidence interval estimates the population parameter, while a prediction interval estimates the value of a future observation.

Answer

A confidence interval is always wider than a prediction interval.

Answer

A confidence interval is used for hypothesis testing, while a prediction interval is used for forecasting.

Question 21

What is the sampling distribution of the mean?

Accepted Answer

The distribution of sample means that would be obtained from all possible samples of a given size from a population.

Answer

The distribution of sample variances from all possible samples of a given size from a population.

Answer

The distribution of individual data points in a sample.

Question 22

What does the central limit theorem state?

Accepted Answer

As the sample size increases, the sampling distribution of the mean approaches a normal distribution, regardless of the shape of the population distribution.

Answer

The mean of a sample is always equal to the mean of the population.

Answer

The standard deviation of a sample is always equal to the standard deviation of the population.

Question 23

What is the primary benefit of data visualization in statistical analysis?

Accepted Answer

It allows researchers to quickly identify patterns, trends, and outliers in data.

Answer

It replaces the need for statistical analysis.

Answer

It makes data more difficult to understand.

Question 24

Which measure of central tendency is appropriate for ordinal data, where the values are ranked but not equally spaced?

Accepted Answer

Median

Answer

Standard deviation

Answer

Mode

Answer

Mean

Question 25

Which statistical test is used to determine if there is a statistically significant difference between the means of two independent groups?

Accepted Answer

Independent samples t-test

Answer

Chi-square test

Answer

Analysis of variance (ANOVA)

Answer

Dependent samples t-test

Question 26

Which of the following is an unethical practice in data analysis?

Accepted Answer

Drawing conclusions without considering the limitations of the data

Answer

Transforming data to improve its distribution

Answer

Collecting data from informed participants

Question 27

What is the primary purpose of a confidence interval?

Accepted Answer

To estimate the range of values within which the true population parameter is likely to fall, with a specified level of confidence

Answer

To test the null hypothesis

Answer

To determine the statistical significance of a difference between groups

Question 28

What is the fundamental distinction between descriptive and inferential statistics?

Accepted Answer

Descriptive statistics describe the characteristics of a data set, while inferential statistics make predictions or draw conclusions about a population based on a sample

Answer

Descriptive statistics are always accurate, while inferential statistics are subject to sampling error

Answer

Descriptive statistics are used for qualitative data, while inferential statistics are used for quantitative data

Question 29

Which of the following is a type of graphical representation used to visualize data?

Accepted Answer

Histogram

Answer

Hypothesis

Answer

Correlation coefficient

Answer

Regression equation

Question 30

What is the main objective of conducting a pilot study before a full-scale research project?

Accepted Answer

To evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness, and potential challenges of the research design and data collection methods

Answer

To collect preliminary data for the main study

Answer

To test the research hypothesis

Question 31

Which statistical measure quantifies the strength and direction of the linear relationship between two variables?

Accepted Answer

Pearson correlation coefficient

Answer

Confidence interval

Answer

Mean

Answer

Standard deviation

Question 32

In statistical hypothesis testing, what does the null hypothesis typically represent?

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

The hypothesis that the data is normally distributed

Answer

The hypothesis that the research question is valid

Question 33

A researcher wants to compare the average number of views for two YouTube videos promoting different products. Which statistical test would be most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Two-sample t-test

Answer

Correlation analysis

Answer

Chi-square test

Question 34

A researcher collects data on the number of Twitter followers for various media outlets. The data is skewed to the right. Which measure of variability would be most suitable to represent the spread of the data?

Accepted Answer

Interquartile range (IQR)

Answer

Variance

Answer

Standard deviation

Question 35

Which chart is best suited for visualizing the distribution of a continuous variable like the number of views on a YouTube video?

Accepted Answer

Histogram

Answer

Pie chart

Answer

Scatter plot

Answer

Bar chart

Question 36

A researcher wants to explore the relationship between the number of likes and shares on a Facebook post. Which statistical analysis would be most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Correlation analysis

Answer

ANOVA

Answer

T-test

Answer

Chi-square test

Question 37

A strong positive correlation is found between the time spent watching television and anxiety levels in teenagers. Does this mean watching more television causes anxiety?

Accepted Answer

No, correlation does not imply causation.

Answer

It depends on the sample size.

Answer

Yes, a strong correlation indicates causation.

Answer

It depends on the type of television programs watched.

Question 38

A researcher wants to analyze the difference in the average number of comments on Instagram posts about three different types of media content. Which statistical test is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

ANOVA

Answer

Regression analysis

Answer

Chi-square test

Answer

T-test

Question 39

What is the commonly used level of significance (alpha) in hypothesis testing?

Accepted Answer

0.05

Answer

0.001

Answer

0.10

Answer

0.01

Question 40

Which measure of central tendency represents the average of a dataset?

Accepted Answer

Mean

Answer

Range

Answer

Mode

Answer

Median

Question 41

What is the key difference between descriptive and inferential statistics?

Accepted Answer

Descriptive statistics summarize data, while inferential statistics use sample data to draw conclusions about a larger population.

Answer

Descriptive statistics involve calculations, inferential statistics involve interpretations.

Answer

Descriptive statistics are more complex than inferential statistics.

Answer

Descriptive statistics are used for qualitative data, inferential statistics for quantitative data.

Question 42

In hypothesis testing, what does the null hypothesis assume?

Accepted Answer

No significant difference or relationship between the groups being studied.

Answer

The hypothesis that is proven true by the research.

Answer

The hypothesis that is always rejected.

Answer

A significant difference or relationship between the groups being studied.

Question 43

What does the level of significance (p-value) in hypothesis testing represent?

Accepted Answer

The probability of observing the results if the null hypothesis were true.

Answer

The probability of the null hypothesis being true.

Answer

The probability of accepting the null hypothesis.

Answer

The probability of making a Type II error.

Question 44

Which of these is NOT a characteristic of a good statistical question?

Accepted Answer

Ambiguous and subjective

Answer

Relevant to the research topic

Answer

Specific and focused on a clear objective

Answer

Measurable with data

Question 45

What is the main difference between qualitative and quantitative data?

Accepted Answer

Qualitative data describes qualities or characteristics, while quantitative data is numerical.

Answer

Qualitative data is only used in social sciences, quantitative data in natural sciences.

Answer

Quantitative data is easier to analyze than qualitative data.

Answer

Qualitative data is less reliable than quantitative data.

Question 46

What is the primary purpose of data cleaning in statistical analysis?

Accepted Answer

To identify and remove errors, inconsistencies, and missing values in the data.

Answer

To reduce the size of the dataset.

Answer

To create visually appealing data visualizations.

Answer

To categorize the data into different groups.

Question 47

Which of the following is a commonly used sampling method?

Accepted Answer

Random sampling

Answer

Convenience sampling

Answer

Snowball sampling

Answer

Quota sampling

Question 48

What is the key difference between a population and a sample in statistical analysis?

Accepted Answer

A population refers to the entire group of interest, while a sample is a smaller, representative subset of that group.

Answer

A population is always larger than a sample.

Answer

A population is always easier to study than a sample.

Question 49

Which of these is a widely used statistical software package?

Accepted Answer

SPSS

Answer

Google Docs

Answer

Microsoft Word

Answer

Adobe Photoshop