Chapter 1, Problem 1.7P

For each of the following research situations, identify the level of measurement of all variables. Also, decide which statistical applications are used: descriptive statistics (single variable), descriptive statistics (two or more variables), or inferential statistics. Remember that it is quite common for a given situation to require more than one type of application.

a. The administration of your university is proposing a change in parking policy. You select a random sample of students and ask each one how strongly they favor or oppose the change. You then use the results to estimate the support for the change in the entire student body.

b. You ask everyone in your social research class for their highest letter grade in any math course and their grade (percentage of items correct) on a recent statistics test. You compare the two sets of scores to see whether there is a relationship.

c. Your aunt is running for mayor and hires you to question a random sample of voters about their concerns. Specifically, she wants to use this information to characterize the entire city in terms of political party affiliation, gender, and what percentage favor widening of the main street in town.

d. Several years ago, a state reinstituted the death penalty for first-degree homicide. Did this reduce the homicide rate? A researcher has gathered information on the number of homicides in the state for the two-year periods before and after the change.

e. A local automobile dealer is concerned about customer satisfaction. He mails a survey form to all customers for the past year and asks whether they are satisfied, very satisfied, or not satisfied with their purchases.