Christie Wants To Know About Her Family's Eating Habits. In Which Of The Following Scenarios Would Christie Be Asking A Statistical Question About The Eating Habits Of Her Family?A. She Could Ask Her Sister, How Many Days Last Week Did You Eat A

by ADMIN 247 views

What is a Statistical Question?

A statistical question is a question that involves collecting and analyzing data to answer a specific question or solve a problem. It often involves making inferences or generalizations based on a sample of data. In this article, we will explore a scenario where Christie asks a statistical question about her family's eating habits.

Scenario A: Asking a Specific Question

Christie could ask her sister, "How many days last week did you eat a sandwich for lunch?" This question is not a statistical question because it is asking for a specific piece of information about a specific individual (her sister). It is a factual question that can be answered with a simple count.

Scenario B: Asking a Question about a Sample

However, if Christie asks her sister, "How many days last week did you eat a sandwich for lunch, and how many days did you eat a salad?" This question is still not a statistical question because it is asking for specific information about her sister's eating habits. It is a factual question that can be answered with a simple count.

Scenario C: Asking a Question about a Population

But if Christie asks her sister, "How many days last week did you eat a sandwich for lunch, and how many days did you eat a salad, and how many days did you eat a sandwich for lunch and a salad for dinner?" This question is still not a statistical question because it is asking for specific information about her sister's eating habits. It is a factual question that can be answered with a simple count.

Scenario D: Asking a Statistical Question

However, if Christie asks her sister, "What percentage of the time did you eat a sandwich for lunch last week, and what percentage of the time did you eat a salad?" This question is a statistical question because it involves making an inference about her sister's eating habits based on a sample of data (last week's eating habits). It requires collecting and analyzing data to answer the question.

Scenario E: Asking a Question about a Sample of the Population

But if Christie asks her sister, "What percentage of the time did you eat a sandwich for lunch last week, and what percentage of the time did you eat a salad, and what percentage of the time did you eat a sandwich for lunch and a salad for dinner?" This question is still not a statistical question because it is asking for specific information about her sister's eating habits. It is a factual question that can be answered with a simple count.

Scenario F: Asking a Statistical Question about the Family

However, if Christie asks her family, "What percentage of the time did each person in the family eat a sandwich for lunch last week, and what percentage of the time did each person eat a salad?" This question is a statistical question because it involves making an inference about the family's eating habits based on a sample of data (last week's eating habits). It requires collecting and analyzing data to answer the question.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a statistical question is a question that involves collecting and analyzing data to answer a specific question or solve a problem. It often involves making inferences or generalizations based on a sample of data. In the scenario described above, Christie would be asking a statistical question about the eating habits of her family if she asked a question that involved making an inference about the family's eating habits based on a sample of data.

Key Takeaways

  • A statistical question is a question that involves collecting and analyzing data to answer a specific question or solve a problem.
  • A statistical question often involves making inferences or generalizations based on a sample of data.
  • A statistical question can be asked about a population or a sample of the population.
  • A statistical question can be asked about a specific individual or a group of individuals.

References

  • National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. (2013). Principles to Actions: Ensuring Mathematical Success for All.
  • American Statistical Association. (2019). Guidelines for Assessment and Instruction in Statistics Education (GAISE) Report.

Further Reading

  • Moore, D. S. (2017). The Basic Practice of Statistics. W.H. Freeman and Company.
  • Larson, R. E., & Farber, B. A. (2018). Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World. Cengage Learning.
    Frequently Asked Questions about Statistical Questions ===========================================================

Q: What is a statistical question?

A: A statistical question is a question that involves collecting and analyzing data to answer a specific question or solve a problem. It often involves making inferences or generalizations based on a sample of data.

Q: How do I know if I'm asking a statistical question?

A: You can ask yourself the following questions to determine if you're asking a statistical question:

  • Is the question asking for a specific piece of information about a specific individual or group?
  • Is the question asking for a generalization or inference about a population or sample?
  • Does the question require collecting and analyzing data to answer?

Q: What are some examples of statistical questions?

A: Here are some examples of statistical questions:

  • What percentage of the students in a school are taking a particular course?
  • How many days per week does the average person exercise?
  • What is the average height of a group of people?
  • What percentage of the time does a particular event occur?

Q: What are some examples of non-statistical questions?

A: Here are some examples of non-statistical questions:

  • What is your favorite color?
  • What is your name?
  • How old are you?
  • What is your favorite food?

Q: Why are statistical questions important?

A: Statistical questions are important because they help us make informed decisions based on data. They allow us to:

  • Identify trends and patterns in data
  • Make predictions about future events
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of a program or policy
  • Make informed decisions about resource allocation

Q: How do I ask a statistical question?

A: To ask a statistical question, follow these steps:

  1. Identify the population or sample you want to study
  2. Determine the variable you want to measure
  3. Decide on the type of data you want to collect (e.g. categorical, numerical)
  4. Formulate a question that requires collecting and analyzing data to answer

Q: What are some common types of statistical questions?

A: Here are some common types of statistical questions:

  • Descriptive statistics: What is the average height of a group of people?
  • Inferential statistics: What percentage of the students in a school are taking a particular course?
  • Comparative statistics: How does the average height of a group of people compare to the average height of a different group?

Q: How do I answer a statistical question?

A: To answer a statistical question, follow these steps:

  1. Collect data from a sample or population
  2. Analyze the data using statistical methods (e.g. mean, median, mode)
  3. Draw conclusions based on the data
  4. Communicate the results in a clear and concise manner

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when asking a statistical question?

A: Here are some common mistakes to avoid when asking a statistical question:

  • Asking a question that is too broad or too narrow
  • Asking a question that is not specific enough
  • Asking a question that requires too much data or too little data
  • Asking a question that is not relevant to the population or sample being studied

Q: How do I know if my statistical question is well-written?

A: A well-written statistical question should be:

  • Specific and clear
  • Relevant to the population or sample being studied
  • Free of bias and assumptions
  • Based on a clear and concise hypothesis or research question

Q: What are some resources for learning more about statistical questions?

A: Here are some resources for learning more about statistical questions:

  • National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)
  • American Statistical Association (ASA)
  • Statistics textbooks and online resources (e.g. Khan Academy, Coursera)
  • Research articles and studies in the field of statistics