PROBLEM SET NO.
1 IN MATH 4 EXPERIMENTAL STATISTICS
Format:
1. Form a group (with max of 6 members).
2. Copy and answer the following scenarios.
3. Write your answers on a short bond paper.
4. NO erasures and writing at the back of the paper.
5. Deadline: February 27, 2026 (based on our lecture class schedule)
Output 1: Attendance and Grades
Read the following on attendance and grades, and answer the questions in the discussion
board.
A study conducted at Manatee Community College revealed that students who attended
class 95 to 100% of the time usually received an A in the class. Students who attended class
80 to 90% of the time usually received a B or C in the class. Students who attended class less
than 80% of the time usually received a D or an F or eventually withdrew from the class.
Based on this information, attendance and grades are related. The more you attend class,
the more likely you will receive a higher grade. If you improve your attendance, your grades
will probably improve. Many factors affect your grade in a course. One factor that you have
considerable control over is attendance. You can increase your opportunities for learning by
attending class more often.
a. What are the variables under study?
b. What are the data in the study?
c. Are descriptive, inferential, or both types of statistics used?
d. What is the population under study?
e. Was a sample collected? If so, from where?
f. Categorize each variable as quantitative or qualitative.
g. Categorize each quantitative variable as discrete or continuous.
h. Identify the level of measurement for each variable.
i. From the information given, comment on the relationship between the variables.
Output 2: American Culture and Drug Abuse
Assume you are a member of the Family Research Council and have become increasingly
concerned about the drug use by professional sports players. You set up a plan and conduct
a survey on how people believe the American culture (television, movies, magazines, and
popular music) influences illegal drug use. Your survey consists of 2250 adults and
adolescents from around the country. A consumer group petitions you for more information
about your survey. Answer the following questions about your survey.
a. What type of scores did you use? Why?
b. Did you use a random method for deciding who would be in your sample?
c. Which of the methods (stratified, systematic, cluster, or convenience) did you use?
d. Why was that method more appropriate for this type of data collection?
e. If a convenience sample were obtained, consisting of only adolescents, how would
the results of the study be affected?
Output 3: Just a Pinch Between Your Cheek and Gum
As the evidence on the adverse effects of cigarette smoke grew, people tried many different
ways to quit smoking. Some people tried chewing tobacco or, as it was called, smokeless
tobacco. A small amount of tobacco was placed between the cheek and gum. Certain
chemicals from the tobacco were absorbed into the bloodstream and gave the sensation of
smoking cigarettes. This prompted studies on the adverse effects of smokeless tobacco. One
study in particular used 40 university students as subjects. Twenty were given smokeless
tobacco to chew, and twenty given a substance that looked and tasted like smokeless
tobacco, but did not contain any of the harmful substances. The students were randomly
assigned to one of the groups. The students’ blood pressure and heart rate were measured
before they started chewing and 20 minutes after they had been chewing. A significant
increase in heart rate occurred in the group that chewed the smokeless tobacco. Answer the
following questions.
a. What type of study was this (observational or experimental)?
b. What are the independent and dependent variables?
c. Which was the treatment group?
d. Could the students’ blood pressures be affected by knowing that they are part ofa
study?
e. List some possible confounding variables.
f. Do you think this is a good way to study the effect of smokeless tobacco?