1.4 Data Sources: Where, How, and When
1. Viamedia, the cable industry's leading independent cable rep firm and provider of online advertising services, sponsored an online survey in June, 2013 to understand television viewing habits. The survey was given to 2,029 American adults age 18 and older, of whom 1,958 watch television programming. Of interest was how Americans watched television –72% watch cable TV while 33% watch on a device (tablet, smartphone, computer). Describe the W’s for the information given.
- Who:
- What:
- When:
- Where:
- How:
- Why:
1.3 Variable Types.
2. The following tables display some of the demographic data collected in a recent (2012) Nielsen Global Survey analyzing Asian American purchasing behaviors and television viewing patterns. List the variables in the data set. Indicate whether each variable is categorical or quantitative. If the variable is quantitative, give the units.
Income Ranges | % Total U.S. Households | % Asian-American Households | | Age Distribution | % Total U.S. Households | % Asian-American Households |
< $25,000 | 24% | 20% | | 0–9 | 13% | 12% |
$25,000–$34,999 | 11% | 8% | | 10–17 | 11% | 10% |
$35,000–$49,999 | 16% | 13% | | 18–24 | 10% | 10% |
$50,000–$74,999 | 20% | 18% | | 25–34 | 13% | 16% |
$75,000–$99,999 | 12% | 14% | | 45–54 | 14% | 14% |
$100,000+ | 18% | 29% | | 55–74 | 20% | 14% |
| | | | 75+ | 6% | 04% |
Composition of Asian-Americans | % Composition |
Asian-Indian | 19% |
Vietnamese | 11% |
Chinese | 23% |
Korean | 10% |
Filipino | 17% |
Japanese | 5% |
Other Asian | 15% |
1.3 Variable Types.
3. In addition to the variables listed above, data were also collected on the variables listed below. Indicate whether each is nominal or ordinal.
- Region of U.S. (NE, NW, MW, SW, SE)
- Education (Less than High School, High School, Some College, College +)
- Marital Status (Single, Widowed, Divorced, Married)
1.3 Variable Types.
4. For each of the following, indicate whether the data are cross-sectional or time series:
- Monthly spending on household goods
- Change in population for 5 consecutive years
- Percentage of adults who bank online
- Composition of types of Asian American families in the most populated U.S. cities.
- Monthly demand for a technology item
- Percentage of adults who purchase goods online
Chapter 1: Data and Decisions – Quiz A – Key
1. Viamedia, the cable industry's leading independent cable rep firm and provider of online advertising services, sponsored an online survey in June, 2013 to understand television viewing habits. The survey was given to 2,029 American adults age 18 and older, of whom 1,958 watch television programming. Of interest was how Americans watched television –72% watch cable TV while 33% watch on a device (tablet, smartphone, computer). Describe the W’s for the information given.
American adults aged 18 and older
Television viewing
June 2013
United States
Online survey
to analyze how Americans watch television
2. The following tables display some of the demographic data collected in a recent (2012) Nielsen Global Survey analyzing Asian American purchasing behaviors and television viewing patterns. List the variables in the data set. Indicate whether each variable is categorical or quantitative. If the variable is quantitative, give the units.
Household Income Ranges | % Total U.S. Households | % Asian-American Households | | Age Distribution | % Total U.S. Households | % Asian-American Households |
< $25,000 | 24% | 20% | | 0–9 | 13% | 12% |
$25,000–$34,999 | 11% | 8% | | 10–17 | 11% | 10% |
$35,000–$49,999 | 16% | 13% | | 18–24 | 10% | 10% |
$50,000–$74,999 | 20% | 18% | | 25–34 | 13% | 16% |
$75,000–$99,999 | 12% | 14% | | 45–54 | 14% | 14% |
$100,000+ | 18% | 29% | | 55–74 | 20% | 14% |
| | | | 75+ | 6% | 04% |
Types of Expenditure | Asian-Americans | Total U.S. Market |
Housing | $20,800 | $16,900 |
Transportation | $10,100 | $9,000 |
Food | $8,000 | $6,600 |
Personal Insurance and Food | $7,800 | $5,600 |
Apparel | $2,400 | $1,700 |
Categorical: Household Income Ranges, Age Distribution, Types of Expenditure
Quantitative: % Total Household, % Asian-American Households, % Age Distribution-Total U.S. and Asian-American, Expenditures of Asian-Americans ($), Expenditures of Total U.S. Market ($)
3. In addition to the variables listed above, data were also collected on the variables listed below. Indicate whether each is nominal or ordinal.
- Region (NE, NW, MW, SW, SE)
Nominal
- Education (Less than High School, High School, Some College, College +)
Ordinal
- Marital Status (Single, Widowed, Divorced, Married)
Nominal
4. For each of the following, indicate whether the data are cross-sectional or time series:
- Monthly spending on household goods
Time Series
- Change in population for 5 consecutive years
Time Series
- Composition of types of Asian American families in the most populated U.S. cities.
Cross-Sectional
- Monthly demand for a technology item
Time Series
- Percentage of adults who purchase goods online
Cross-Sectional
Chapter 1: Data and Decisions – Quiz B Name_________________________
1.4 Data Sources: Where, How, and When.
1. Consumer Reports Health routinely compares drugs in terms of effectiveness and safety. In summer 2008 they reviewed drugs used to treat arthritis. Information was reported on convenience of use (how many pills required each day), possible side effects (e.g., dizziness, stomach upset), cost, and ratings of effectiveness in relieving symptoms (very effective, somewhat effective, not effective). Describe the W’s for the information given.
- Who:
- What:
- When:
- Where:
- How:
- Why:
1.3 Variable Types.
2. List the variables reported in the Consumer Reports Health article on drugs used to treat arthritis. If the variable is quantitative, give the units. If the variable is categorical, indicate whether it is nominal or ordinal.
1.3 Variable Types.
3. The Human Resources Department of a large corporation maintains records on its employees. The table displays some of these data. List the variables in the data set. Indicate whether each variable is categorical or quantitative. If the variable is quantitative, give the units. If the variable is categorical, indicate whether it is nominal or ordinal.
Age | Employment Category | Education | Participates in Wellness Program? | Paycheck Benefit Deductions |
32 | Clerical | High School | Yes | $250 |
52 | Professional | College | No | $120 |
60 | Professional | Junior College | Yes | $0 |
28 | Clerical | High School | No | $120 |
1.3 Variable Types.
4. For each of the following, indicate whether the data are cross-sectional or time series:
- Company quarterly profits
- Percentage of American adults who work full time
- Historical closing stock prices
Chapter 1: Data and Decisions – Quiz B – Key
1. Consumer Reports Health routinely compares drugs in terms of effectiveness and safety. In summer 2008 they reviewed drugs used to treat arthritis. Information was reported on convenience of use (how many pills required each day), possible side effects (e.g., dizziness, stomach upset), cost, and ratings of effectiveness in relieving symptoms (very effective, somewhat effective, not effective). Describe the W’s for the information given.
drugs to treat arthritis currently on the market
convenience of use, side effects, cost, effectiveness ratings
summer 2008
not specified, probably United States
testing on drugs
information for potential consumers/patients
2. List the variables reported in the Consumer Reports Health article on drugs used to treat arthritis. If the variable is quantitative, give the units. If the variable is categorical, indicate whether it is nominal or ordinal.
Categorical: Side effect (nominal), effectiveness rating (ordinal)
Quantitative: Convenience of use (number of pills), Cost ($)
3. The Human Resources Department of a large corporation maintains records on its employees. The table displays some of these data. List the variables in the data set. Indicate whether each variable is categorical or quantitative. If the variable is quantitative, give the units. If the variable is categorical, indicate whether it is nominal or ordinal.
Age | Employment Category | Education | Participates in Wellness Program? | Paycheck Benefit Deductions |
32 | Clerical | High School | Yes | $250 |
52 | Professional | College | No | $120 |
60 | Professional | Junior College | Yes | $0 |
28 | Clerical | High School | No | $120 |
Categorical: Employment Category (nominal), Education (ordinal), Participation in Wellness Program? (nominal)
Quantitative: Age (years), Paycheck Benefit Deductions ($)
4. For each of the following, indicate whether the data are cross-sectional or time series:
- Company quarterly profits
Time Series
- Percentage of American adults who work full time
Cross-Sectional
- Historical closing stock prices
Time Series
Chapter 1: Data and Decisions – Quiz C Name_________________________
1.4 Data Sources: Where, How, and When.
1. Consumer Reports National Research Center routinely compares products and services. A poll of more than 1,800 U.S. residents was conducted shortly after the 2008 holiday season. What they found was that fewer people than in the previous year tipped their service providers (newspaper carrier, barber, mail carrier, hairdresser, garbage collector) or the amount that consumers tip for specific services was reduced.. Information was reported on the type of service, whether a tip or gift was given, and the median total value of the tip. Describe the W’s for the information given.
- Who:
- What:
- When:
- Where:
- How:
- Why:
1.3 Variable Types.
2. List the variables reported in the Consumer Reports Magazine article on tipping. If the variable is quantitative, give the units. If the variable is categorical, indicate whether it is nominal or ordinal.
1.3 Variable Types.
3. Businesses in a U.S. city were surveyed about information to provide to prospective employees after graduating from business school. The table displays some of these data. List the variables in the data set. Indicate whether each variable is categorical or quantitative. If the variable is quantitative, give the units. If the variable is categorical, indicate whether it is nominal or ordinal.
Employment Category | Require an MBA Degree? | Prefer Graduates with Work Experience? | Median Salary of New Graduates |
Sales | No | No | $35,000 |
Management | Yes | Yes | $47,000 |
Accounting | No | Yes | $52,000 |
Advertising | No | No | $45,000 |
1.3 Variable Types.
4. For each of the following, indicate whether the data are cross-sectional or time series:
- Dow Jones Index
- Eating habits by age group
- Attitudes toward abortion over past 10 years
- Voting behavior data for a particular neighborhood
Chapter 1: Data and Decisions – Quiz C – Key
1. Consumer Reports National Research Center routinely compares products and services. A poll of more than 1,800 U.S. residents was conducted shortly after the 2008 holiday season. What they found was that fewer people tipped their service providers (newspaper carrier, barber, mail carrier, hairdresser, garbage collector) than in the previous year or the amount that consumers tip for specific services was reduced. Information was reported on the type of service, whether a tip or gift was given, the level of tipping, and the median total value of the tip. Describe the W’s for the information given.
U.S. residents, most likely adults although not specified
Amount of tipping and type of tipping for service providers during the holiday season for this year and the previous year
shortly after the holiday season 2008
United States
A poll – not specified what type
investigate consumer behavior in tipping service providers
2. List the variables reported in the Consumer Reports Magazine article on tipping. If the variable is quantitative, give the units. If the variable is categorical, indicate whether it is nominal or ordinal.
Categorical: Whether or not someone tipped this year and/or previous year (nominal), type of tipping–gift or money (nominal), service provider who was tipped (nominal), level of tipping–low, medium, high (ordinal)
Quantitative: Median value of tip ($),
3. Businesses in a U.S. city were surveyed about information to provide to prospective employees after graduating from business school. The table displays some of these data. List the variables in the data set. Indicate whether each variable is categorical or quantitative. If the variable is quantitative, give the units. If the variable is categorical, indicate whether it is nominal or ordinal.
Employment Category | Require an MBA Degree? | Level of Work Experience Preferred? | Median Salary of New Graduates |
Sales | No | None | $35,000 |
Management | Yes | Extensive | $47,000 |
Accounting | No | Moderate | $52,000 |
Advertising | No | None | $45,000 |
Categorical: Employment Category (nominal), Require an MBA Degree? (nominal), Level of Work Experience Preferred? (ordinal)
Quantitative: Median Salary of New Graduates ($)
4. For each of the following, indicate whether the data are cross-sectional or time series:
Time Series
- Eating habits by age group
Cross-Sectional
- Attitudes toward abortion over past 10 years
Time Series
- Voting behavior data for a particular neighborhood
Cross-Sectional
Chapter 1: Data and Decisions – Quiz D – Multiple Choice
Name________________________
1.4 Data Sources: Where, How, and When.
1. In the fall of 2007, the Pew Internet & Life Project conducted telephone interviews with a sample of American adults aged 18 and older about online shopping. American adults aged 18 and older constitute the ______ of the study.
A. Who
B. What
C. When
D. Where
E. How
1.3 Variable Types.
2. A few of the variables for which data were collected in the Pew Internet & Life Project study about online shopping include age, gender, income, and number of hours spent shopping online per month. Which of the variables is categorical?
A. Age
B. Gender
C. Income
D. Number of hours spent shopping online
E. None
1.3 Variable Types.
3. The Pew Internet & Life Project study about online shopping asked respondents to indicate their education level on the following scale: Less than High School, High School, Some College, College +. Which of the following statements is (are) true?
A. Education level is a categorical variable.
B. Education level is nominal scaled.
C. Education level is ordinal scaled.
D. Both A and B
E. Both A and C
1.4 Data Sources: Where, How, and When.
4. Consumer Reports Health routinely compares drugs in terms of effectiveness and safety. In summer 2008 they reviewed drugs used to treat arthritis. Among the information reported was convenience of use (how many pills required each day) and possible side effects (e.g., dizziness, stomach upset). Convenience of use and possible side effects constitute the ________ of the study.
A. Who
B. What
C. When
D. Where
E. How
1.4 Data Sources: Where, How, and When.
5. What is the “Who” in a Consumer Reports Health study on the effectiveness and safety of drugs used to treat arthritis?
A. drugs to treat arthritis currently on the market
B. convenience of use and possible side effects
C. summer 2008
D. the United States
E. testing on drugs
1.3 Variable Types.
6. A Consumer Reports Health study on the effectiveness and safety of arthritis drugs collected data on possible side effects. This is what kind of variable?
A. Quantitative
B. Categorical
C. Nominal
D. Both A and C
E. Both B and C
1.3 Variable Types.
7. A Consumer Reports Health study on arthritis drugs takes into consideration cost. Cost _____________________________________ .
A. is a nominal variable
B. is a categorical variable
C. is a quantitative variable
D. is an ordinal variable
E. is an irrelevant variable
1.3 Variable Types.
8. The Human Resources Department of a large corporation maintains records on its employees. Data are maintained of the following variables: Age, Employment Category, Education, Whether or not the employee participates in a wellness program, and Paycheck benefit deductions. Which of these variables are categorical?
A. Age, Employment Category, and Education
B. Employment Category, Education, and Whether or not the employee participates in
a wellness program
C. Education, Whether or not the employee participates in a wellness program, and
Paycheck benefit deductions
D. All of the variables
E. None of the variables
1.3 Variable Types.
9. Which of the following is (are) based on cross sectional data?
A. Company quarterly profits
B. Percentage of American adults who work full time
C. Historical closing stock prices
D. All of the above
E. None of the above.
1.3 Variable Types.
10. Which of the following is (are) time series data?
A. Weekly receipts at a clothing boutique
B. Monthly demand for an automotive part
C. Quarterly sales of automobiles
D. All of the above
E. None of the above
Chapter 1: Data and Decisions – Quiz D – Key
1. A
2. B
3. E
4. B
5. A
6. E
7. C
8. B
9. B
10[SM1] . D
Chapter 1: Data and Decisions – Quiz E – Multiple Choice Name___________________
1.2 The Role of Data in Decision Making.
1. A university is interested in gauging student satisfaction in its online MBA program. A survey is designed and administered via the Internet to a sample of students currently active in the program. Which of the following would best describe the cases?
A. Participants
B. Respondents
C. Experimental Units
D. Subjects
E. Variables
1.3 Variable Types.
2. In a survey undertaken by a university to gauge student satisfaction in its online MBA program, one question asked students to indicate their employment status (unemployed, employed part-time, employed full-time). Which of the following is true?
A. This variable is categorical.
B. This variable is quantitative.
C. This is an identifier variable.
D. Both A and C.
E. Both B and C.
1.3 Variable Types.
3. In a survey undertaken by a university to gauge student satisfaction in its online MBA program, one question asked students to indicate the number of credits they had transferred into the program. Which of the following is true?
A. This variable is categorical.
B. This variable is transactional.
C. This variable is quantitative.
D. This is an identifier variable.
E. This variable is nominal.
1.2 The Role of Data in Decision Making.
4. Researchers in e-commerce design an experiment to determine what factors are most important to online consumers when completing a transaction via the Internet. Individuals perform tasks on a set of Web sites and record their impressions about various attributes. Which of the following would best describe the cases?
A. Participants
B. Respondents
C. Experimental Units
D. Transactions
E. Variables
1.3 Variable Types.
5. A popular travel magazine regularly reviews hotels worldwide. In a recent issue, it focused on hotels in Hawaii. Among the variables for which it provided data was whether or not the hotel included a spa. This is a _________________________ .
A. quantitative variable
B. identifier variable
C. ordinal variable
D. categorical variable
E. transactional variable
1.3 Variable Types.
6. A popular travel magazine regularly reviews hotels worldwide. In a recent issue, it focused on hotels in Hawaii. Among the variables for which it provided data was the price range for rooms with an ocean view. Which of the following statements is true?
A. These data are transactional.
B. This variable is quantitative and the units are $.
C. This variable is quantitative and the units are number of rooms.
D. This variable is qualitative and ordinal.
E. These data are time series.
1.3 Variable Types.
7. A mid-priced chain of hotels, Hometown Suites, strives to make its guests “feel at home” by providing amenities such as microwaves in every room. Comment cards are used to get feedback on the importance of such amenities by asking guests to rate them using the scale: ___ Essential ___ Important ___ Not Important.
These data are _________________________ .
A. qualitative
B. nominal
C. ordinal
D. both A and B
E. both A and C
1.2 The Role of Data in Decision Making.
8. A locally owned spa, Alexander’s, is interested in adding a tea room that not only offers specialty teas but an organic lunch menu. In order to determine how many of its regular customers would be interested in such an addition, Alexander’s sent out a short e-mail questionnaire. The source of these data is _________________________ .
A. the Internet
B. transactional
C. a designed survey
D. a designed experiment
E. secondary
1.3 Variable Types.
9. A locally owned spa, Alexander’s, is interested in adding a tea room that not only offers specialty teas but an organic lunch menu. In order to determine how many of its regular customers would be interested in such an addition, Alexander’s sent out a short e-mail questionnaire. One question asked its customers to indicate how much they spend monthly on all natural, organic products. These data are _____________________.
A. cross-sectional
B. time series
C. categorical
D. transactional
E. experimental
1.3 Variable Types.
10. A mid-priced chain of hotels, Hometown Suites, collects data on monthly occupancy rates for forecasting and planning purposes. These data are ______________________ .
A. cross-sectional
B. time series
C. categorical
D. transactional
E. experimental
Chapter 1: Data and Decisions – Quiz E – Key
1. B
2. A
3. C
4. A
5. D
6. B
7. E
8. C
9. A
10. B
Chapter 1: Data and Decisions – Quiz F– Multiple Choice Name___________________
1.4 Data Sources: Where, How, and When.
1. In June, 2013, Viamedia sponsored an online survey to sample a group of American adults aged 18 and older about watching television. American adults aged 18 and older constitute the ______ of the study.
A. Who
B. What
C. When
D. Where
E. How
1.3 Variable Types.
2. A few of the variables for which data were collected in the Viamedia survey about television viewing include age, gender, income, and type of device used to watch television. Which of the variables is categorical?
A. Age
B. Type of device used to watch television
C. Income
D. All
E. None
1.3 Variable Types.
3. The data collected in a recent (2012) Nielsen Global Survey analyzed Asian American demographics. Which of the following statements is (are) true?
A. Education level is a categorical variable.
B. Education level is nominal scaled.
C. Education level is ordinal scaled.
D. Both A and B
E. Both A and C
1.4 Data Sources: Where, How, and When.
4. Businesses are interested in the work experience of recent graduates from a local business school. Whether or not the graduates have work experience constitutes the ________ of the study.
A. Who
B. What
C. When
D. Where
E. How
1.4 Data Sources: Where, How, and When.
5. What is the “What” in a Consumer Reports Tipping study on the level of tipping during the current holiday season compared to the last holiday season?
A. whether or not tipped
B. amount of tip compared to last year
C. the type of tip
D. the United States
1.3 Variable Types.
6. A Consumer Reports survey on the level of tipping for service providers. This is what kind of variable?
A. Quantitative
B. Ordinal
C. Nominal
D. Both A and C
E. Both B and C
1.3 Variable Types.
7. A Consumer Reports study on tipping takes into consideration median amount of tipping for service providers. Tipping ______________________________ .
A. is a nominal variable
B. is a categorical variable
C. is a quantitative variable
D. is an ordinal variable
E. is an irrelevant variable
1.3 Variable Types.
8. The Human Resources Department of a large corporation maintains records on its employees. Data are maintained of the following variables: Age, Employment Category, Education, and Whether or not the employee has an advanced degree. Which of these variables are categorical?
A. Age, Employment Category, and Education
B. Employment Category and Education
C. Education and Whether or not the employee has an advanced degree
D. All of the variables
E. None of the variables
1.3 Variable Types.
9. Which of the following is (are) based on cross sectional data?
A. Company quarterly profits
B. Percentage of American adults who work full time
C. Dow Jones Index
D. All of the above
E. None of the above.
1.3 Variable Types.
10. Which of the following is (are) time series data?
A. Monthly receipts at an apparel shop
B. Monthly demand for a technology item
C. Dow Jones Index
D. All of the above
E. None of the above
Chapter 1: Data and Decisions – Quiz F – Key
1. A
2. B
3. E
4. B
5. B
6. B
7. C
8. B
9. B
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