ACT Math Flashcards: Data Collection Methods

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Data Collection Methods, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for ACT Math.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What is the purpose of data validation?

Answer: To ensure accuracy and quality of data collected. Checks for errors, completeness, and consistency.

Flashcard 2: What is a control group?

Answer: A group in an experiment that does not receive the treatment. Used for comparison to measure treatment effectiveness.

Flashcard 3: What is interval data?

Answer: Numerical data with meaningful intervals but no true zero. Temperature in Celsius is a classic example.

Flashcard 4: What is nominal data?

Answer: Categorical data without a natural order. Examples include gender, color, or brand names.

Flashcard 5: What is a longitudinal study?

Answer: Research conducted over a long period to observe long-term effects. Tracks changes in subjects over extended time periods.

Flashcard 6: Identify the main purpose of data collection.

Answer: To gather information for analysis and decision-making. Data supports research, planning, and problem-solving.

Flashcard 7: What is the purpose of random sampling?

Answer: To reduce bias and ensure each member of a population has equal chance of selection. This prevents selection bias and improves representativeness.

Flashcard 8: Define bias in data collection.

Answer: A systematic error that leads to incorrect conclusions. It occurs when the sample isn't representative of the population.

Flashcard 9: What is nominal data?

Answer: Categorical data without a natural order. Examples include gender, color, or brand names.

Flashcard 10: What is a longitudinal study?

Answer: Research conducted over a long period to observe long-term effects. Tracks changes in subjects over extended time periods.

Flashcard 11: What is the purpose of a pilot study?

Answer: To test the feasibility and design of a larger study. It's a small-scale trial run before the full study.

Flashcard 12: Define experimental study.

Answer: A study where a treatment is applied to observe its effects. This allows researchers to test cause-and-effect relationships.

Flashcard 13: What is a sample in statistics?

Answer: A subset of the population used to infer about the population. It's used when studying the entire population isn't practical.

Flashcard 14: What is convenience sampling?

Answer: Selecting individuals that are easiest to reach. This method is quick but may not represent the full population.

Flashcard 15: What is stratified sampling?

Answer: Dividing a population into subgroups and sampling each subgroup. This ensures representation from all relevant subgroups.

Flashcard 16: Identify the main purpose of data collection.

Answer: To gather information for analysis and decision-making. Data supports research, planning, and problem-solving.

Flashcard 17: What is convenience sampling?

Answer: Selecting individuals that are easiest to reach. This method is quick but may not represent the full population.

Flashcard 18: Define systematic sampling.

Answer: A method where every nth individual is chosen from a list. For example, selecting every 10th person from a numbered list.

Flashcard 19: What is a population in statistics?

Answer: The entire group of individuals or items being studied. This is the total set from which samples are drawn.

Flashcard 20: Define experimental study.

Answer: A study where a treatment is applied to observe its effects. This allows researchers to test cause-and-effect relationships.

Flashcard 21: Define cluster sampling.

Answer: Dividing population into clusters and randomly selecting entire clusters. Useful when natural groups exist within the population.

Flashcard 22: Identify the difference between a parameter and a statistic.

Answer: A parameter describes a population; a statistic describes a sample. Parameters are true values; statistics are estimates from samples.

Flashcard 23: What is interval data?

Answer: Numerical data with meaningful intervals but no true zero. Temperature in Celsius is a classic example.

Flashcard 24: Define cross-sectional study.

Answer: Observational study analyzing data from a population at one point in time. Provides a snapshot of a population at a specific moment.

Flashcard 25: Define the term 'response rate'.

Answer: The proportion of respondents who completed the survey. Higher rates indicate more representative results.

Flashcard 26: What is a population in statistics?

Answer: The entire group of individuals or items being studied. This is the total set from which samples are drawn.

Flashcard 27: Identify the Hawthorne effect.

Answer: Subjects alter behavior because they know they are being observed. Being observed changes how people naturally behave.

Flashcard 28: Define placebo.

Answer: A substance with no therapeutic effect used as a control. Helps control for psychological effects of receiving treatment.

Flashcard 29: Define ratio data.

Answer: Numerical data with meaningful intervals and a true zero. Height, weight, and time are common examples.

Flashcard 30: Define systematic sampling.

Answer: A method where every nth individual is chosen from a list. For example, selecting every 10th person from a numbered list.

Flashcard 31: Define ratio data.

Answer: Numerical data with meaningful intervals and a true zero. Height, weight, and time are common examples.

Flashcard 32: What is an inference in statistics?

Answer: A conclusion drawn about a population based on a sample. Uses sample data to make predictions about the whole population.

Flashcard 33: What is the purpose of random sampling?

Answer: To reduce bias and ensure each member of a population has equal chance of selection. This prevents selection bias and improves representativeness.

Flashcard 34: Define ordinal data.

Answer: Categorical data with a meaningful order but no fixed intervals. Like rating scales: poor, fair, good, excellent.

Flashcard 35: Define quantitative data.

Answer: Numerical data representing counts or measurements. This includes discrete counts and continuous measurements.

Flashcard 36: What is a control group?

Answer: A group in an experiment that does not receive the treatment. Used for comparison to measure treatment effectiveness.

Flashcard 37: What is a sample in statistics?

Answer: A subset of the population used to infer about the population. It's used when studying the entire population isn't practical.

Flashcard 38: Identify the Hawthorne effect.

Answer: Subjects alter behavior because they know they are being observed. Being observed changes how people naturally behave.

Flashcard 39: What does a double-blind experiment mean?

Answer: Neither participants nor researchers know who receives treatment. This prevents bias from expectations affecting results.

Flashcard 40: Define ordinal data.

Answer: Categorical data with a meaningful order but no fixed intervals. Like rating scales: poor, fair, good, excellent.

Flashcard 41: Define the term 'response rate'.

Answer: The proportion of respondents who completed the survey. Higher rates indicate more representative results.

Flashcard 42: What is the purpose of data validation?

Answer: To ensure accuracy and quality of data collected. Checks for errors, completeness, and consistency.

Flashcard 43: What is an observational study?

Answer: A study where no treatment is applied and subjects are observed. Researchers watch but don't manipulate any variables.

Flashcard 44: Identify the difference between a parameter and a statistic.

Answer: A parameter describes a population; a statistic describes a sample. Parameters are true values; statistics are estimates from samples.

Flashcard 45: What does a double-blind experiment mean?

Answer: Neither participants nor researchers know who receives treatment. This prevents bias from expectations affecting results.

Flashcard 46: Identify a key characteristic of reliable data.

Answer: Consistency in results across different occasions. Reliable data gives similar results when measurement is repeated.

Flashcard 47: Define bias in data collection.

Answer: A systematic error that leads to incorrect conclusions. It occurs when the sample isn't representative of the population.

Flashcard 48: Define quantitative data.

Answer: Numerical data representing counts or measurements. This includes discrete counts and continuous measurements.

Flashcard 49: What is the main advantage of using surveys?

Answer: They can collect data from a large number of respondents quickly. They're cost-effective and can reach geographically dispersed groups.

Flashcard 50: Define cross-sectional study.

Answer: Observational study analyzing data from a population at one point in time. Provides a snapshot of a population at a specific moment.

Flashcard 51: What is an inference in statistics?

Answer: A conclusion drawn about a population based on a sample. Uses sample data to make predictions about the whole population.

Flashcard 52: Define placebo.

Answer: A substance with no therapeutic effect used as a control. Helps control for psychological effects of receiving treatment.

Flashcard 53: What is the purpose of a pilot study?

Answer: To test the feasibility and design of a larger study. It's a small-scale trial run before the full study.

Flashcard 54: What is the main advantage of using surveys?

Answer: They can collect data from a large number of respondents quickly. They're cost-effective and can reach geographically dispersed groups.

Flashcard 55: What is an observational study?

Answer: A study where no treatment is applied and subjects are observed. Researchers watch but don't manipulate any variables.

Flashcard 56: What is qualitative data?

Answer: Non-numerical data describing characteristics or qualities. Examples include colors, names, or categories.

Flashcard 57: Identify a key characteristic of reliable data.

Answer: Consistency in results across different occasions. Reliable data gives similar results when measurement is repeated.

Flashcard 58: What is qualitative data?

Answer: Non-numerical data describing characteristics or qualities. Examples include colors, names, or categories.

Flashcard 59: What is stratified sampling?

Answer: Dividing a population into subgroups and sampling each subgroup. This ensures representation from all relevant subgroups.