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
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:
- Identify the population or sample you want to study
- Determine the variable you want to measure
- Decide on the type of data you want to collect (e.g. categorical, numerical)
- 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:
- Collect data from a sample or population
- Analyze the data using statistical methods (e.g. mean, median, mode)
- Draw conclusions based on the data
- 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