Statistical Studies a Beginning

Name:___________________________

Date:_____________

Unit three is all about Analyzing Statistical Studies. In order for us to be able to
properly analyze a statistical study, it is important that we have a firm foundation built by the
correct vocabulary. Using a form of technology, research the following words and develop a
definition for each word. (If you get stuck, try adding in statistics to your Google search!)
1. Observational Study:
2. Experimental Study:
3. Control Group:
4. Experimental Group:
5. Population:
6. Experimental Treatment:
7. Variable of Interest:
8. Research Questions:
9. Hypotheses:
10. Null Hypotheses:
11. Alternative Hypotheses:
12. Bias:

Now that we have a better foundation of the proper statistical vocabulary, we need to see
if we can accurately label a study with the appropriate terminology.
13. Mr. Winger always gives multiple choice tests. However, he wanted to investigate
whether his students would perform better on a multiple choice test or a short answer test.
He flipped a coin for each student in his class. If the coin landed on heads, the student
took a multiple-choice test. If the coin landed on tails, the student received a short answer
test. Afterward, Mr. Winger compared the averages for the two test formats.
a. Is this an observational study or an experimental study? How do you know?
b. What is the variable of interest?
c. What group could be considered the control group? Why?
d. What group could be considered the experimental group? Why?
e. What was the treatment that was given to the experimental group?
f. What could be considered the population of this study?
g. Develop a possible research question that you think could represent what Mr. Winger is
investigating.
h. Develop a hypotheses as to what you think Mr. Winger will discover in this experiment.

14. Mr. Sellars, a HUGE WWE fan, sat in the middle of the Tifton mall and asked people
who is their favorite wrestler. He compiled the results and posted an entry to his blog
about the most popular wrestlers.
a. Is this an observational study or an experimental study? How do you know?
b. What is the variable of interest?
c. Can you identify any control groups or treatments? If so, list them. If not, explain why.

15. Mrs. Fresh was curious as to the effects listening to music has on her students test grades.
During the next test, she allowed two blocks to listen to music. One block had to listen to
classical, one block had to listen to hip hop, and the last block could not listen to music at
all. She calculated the averages from each class and compared her results.
a. Is this an observational study or an experimental study? How do you know?
b. What is the variable of interest?
c. What group could be considered the control group? Why?
d. What groups could be considered experimental groups? Why?
e. What was the treatment that was given to the experimental groups?
f. What could be considered the population of this study?
g. Develop a possible research question that you think could represent what Mrs.
Fresh is investigating.
h. Develop a hypotheses as to what you think Mrs. Fresh will discover in this
experiment.

16. With each of the studies, describe how the researcher could create data that is biased.
a. Mr. Wingers study:
b. Mr. Sellars study:
c. Mrs. Freshs study: