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1. What is statistical inference, and why do we need to use inference in statist

ID: 3172421 • Letter: 1

Question

1. What is statistical inference, and why do we need to use inference in statistics? (.5 point)

2. Let’s assume that the sample mean is an unbiased estimator and let’s assume that the population mean is = 5. If an infinite number of random samples (N = 10) was taken from the population and we then averaged the means of each sample, what would the average (i.e., the mean) of the sample means equal? (.5 point)

a) 0

b) 5

c) 10

d) not enough information here

3. Let’s assume the population mean is = 10. If a sample drawn from the population with an N of 10 yields a sample mean of 5, and a sample drawn from the population with an N of 25 yields a sample mean of 8, which of the following values is the most likely sample mean for a sample drawn from the population with an N of 100? (.5 point for correct answer)

a) -10

b) 6

c) 0

d) 10

Explanation / Answer

1. What is statistical inference, and why do we need to use inference in statistics?

Answer : Statistical inference is the process of gathering properties of an underlying distribution by analysis of data. Inferential statistical analysis infers properties about a population: this includes testing hypotheses and deriving estimates. The population is assumed to be larger than the observed data set; in other words, the observed data is assumed to be sampled from a larger population.

2. Let’s assume that the sample mean is an unbiased estimator and let’s assume that the population mean is = 5. If an infinite number of random samples (N = 10) was taken from the population and we then averaged the means of each sample, what would the average (i.e., the mean) of the sample means equal?

Answer : 5

3. Let’s assume the population mean is = 10. If a sample drawn from the population with an N of 10 yields a sample mean of 5, and a sample drawn from the population with an N of 25 yields a sample mean of 8, which of the following values is the most likely sample mean for a sample drawn from the population with an N of 100?

Answer : 10