Introduction to Statistics and Data MCQs 2026

Census data means

1. A information from a random sample only ✓
2. B data with missing values only ✓
3. C data arranged in a frequency polygon only ✓
4. D information collected from every member of the population ✓

Primary data are

1. A taken from published reports compiled earlier ✓
2. B always more unreliable than secondary data ✓
3. C only qualitative with no numbers ✓
4. D collected firsthand for the specific purpose at hand ✓

Secondary data are

1. A always collected through personal interviews only ✓
2. B always more accurate than primary data ✓
3. C data already collected by someone else for another purpose ✓
4. D only obtained by laboratory experiments ✓

Qualitative data describe

1. A only continuous measurements with decimals ✓
2. B only ratios of two positive quantities ✓
3. C only frequencies of exactly equal intervals ✓
4. D attributes or categories that cannot be measured on a numerical scale ✓

Quantitative data are

1. A only nominal labels without order ✓
2. B only opinions recorded as text ✓
3. C numerical measurements or counts ✓
4. D only pictures without numbers ✓

Discrete data can take

1. A any value within an interval including fractions ✓
2. B only qualitative categories ✓
3. C only countable distinct values, often integers ✓
4. D only probabilities between 0 and 1 ✓

A statistic is

1. A always equal to the population parameter ✓
2. B a numerical measure computed from sample data ✓
3. C only a type of graph ✓
4. D only a scale of measurement ✓

Continuous data can take

1. A only whole numbers ✓
2. B only ranked categories ✓
3. C only yes/no responses ✓
4. D any value within an interval ✓

The nominal scale of measurement classifies data into

1. A ordered ranks without fixed intervals ✓
2. B categories with no inherent order ✓
3. C intervals with equal gaps but no true zero ✓
4. D ratios with a meaningful zero ✓

The ordinal scale provides

1. A categories with no order at all ✓
2. B equal intervals and a true zero point ✓
3. C ranked categories where order matters but intervals are not fixed ✓
4. D only ratios of magnitudes ✓

The interval scale has

1. A equal intervals between values but no true zero point ✓
2. B only unordered categories ✓
3. C only ranks without measurable gaps ✓
4. D a true zero meaning absence of the quantity ✓

The ratio scale has

1. A equal intervals and a true zero indicating absence of the quantity ✓
2. B no fixed order among categories ✓
3. C ranks without equal spacing ✓
4. D intervals without a meaningful zero ✓

Which variable is measured on a ratio scale

1. A Temperature in Celsius ✓
2. B Distance travelled in kilometres ✓
3. C Rank of a student in class ✓
4. D Type of employment ✓

Which variable is measured on an interval scale

1. A Blood type ✓
2. B Calendar year of birth ✓
3. C Order of finishing a race ✓
4. D Number of siblings ✓

A constant is

1. A always a random variable ✓
2. B always a sample statistic ✓
3. C always a measure of spread ✓
4. D a characteristic that does not vary across units in a given study ✓

A variable is

1. A always fixed for every observation ✓
2. B only a population parameter ✓
3. C a characteristic that varies from one unit to another ✓
4. D only a type of graph ✓

Raw data are

1. A unorganized original observations as collected ✓
2. B always presented in pie charts ✓
3. C always summarized by mean and SD only ✓
4. D always adjusted for inflation ✓

Statistical inference requires

1. A probability theory and sampling concepts ✓
2. B only drawing bar charts ✓
3. C only listing data in ascending order ✓
4. D only computing range without context ✓

Applied statistics focuses on

1. A only proving mathematical theorems without data ✓
2. B only defining scales without application ✓
3. C only historical dates of statisticians ✓
4. D using statistical methods to solve real-world problems ✓

Biostatistics applies statistical methods to

1. A only stock market prices ✓
2. B biological and medical data ✓
3. C only geological maps only ✓
4. D only architectural drawings ✓

Official statistics are typically produced by

1. A only private bloggers ✓
2. B only individual students ✓
3. C government statistical agencies ✓
4. D only fiction writers ✓

A statistical survey aims to

1. A eliminate all sampling error by definition ✓
2. B collect data from units to learn about a population ✓
3. C avoid any planning or design ✓
4. D ignore non-response completely ✓

Sampling error is

1. A always zero in random samples ✓
2. B the same as a transcription mistake ✓
3. C only non-existent in a census ✓
4. D the difference between a sample statistic and the population parameter due to using a sample ✓

Non-sampling errors include

1. A only natural variation from random sampling ✓
2. B mistakes in measurement, recording and non-response ✓
3. C only the effect of sample size on SE ✓
4. D only standard deviation of the sample ✓

A biased sample is one that

1. A always a random sample with large n ✓
2. B always identical to the population ✓
3. C systematically over- or under-represents some population groups ✓
4. D always free of error ✓

Random sampling helps to

1. A guarantee sample equals population exactly ✓
2. B eliminate the need for any statistics ✓
3. C ensure every sample statistic equals the parameter ✓
4. D reduce bias and allow probability-based inference ✓

Data collected at one point in time are called

1. A cross-sectional data ✓
2. B time series data ✓
3. C panel data with repeated units only ✓
4. D only experimental data ✓

Time series data are

1. A collected from different subjects at one instant only ✓
2. B observations recorded over successive time periods ✓
3. C always qualitative nominal data ✓
4. D always free of trend ✓

Statistics is divided into two main branches

1. A micro and macro only ✓
2. B algebra and geometry only ✓
3. C descriptive and inferential statistics ✓
4. D deductive and inductive logic only ✓

An outlier is

1. A always the median value ✓
2. B always the most frequent value ✓
3. C always the population mean ✓
4. D an observation unusually far from the rest of the data ✓

Multivariate data involve

1. A only one variable per unit ✓
2. B only graphical presentation without numbers ✓
3. C more than one variable measured on each unit ✓
4. D only population parameters ✓

The scope of statistics includes

1. A only multiplication tables ✓
2. B only drawing maps without numbers ✓
3. C design of studies, analysis and interpretation of uncertainty ✓
4. D only legal drafting ✓

In PPSC/FPSC exams, statistics questions often test

1. A basic definitions, scales and population-sample distinction ✓
2. B only advanced stochastic calculus ✓
3. C only computer programming syntax ✓
4. D only organic chemistry reactions ✓

Statistics is best defined as the science of

1. A collecting, organizing, presenting, analyzing and interpreting data ✓
2. B only guessing future events without data ✓
3. C only drawing pictures without numbers ✓
4. D only recording opinions without measurement ✓

The word statistics is derived from the Latin word

1. A stature meaning height ✓
2. B status meaning state ✓
3. C station meaning place ✓
4. D static meaning fixed ✓

Descriptive statistics deals with

1. A summarizing and describing data that have already been collected ✓
2. B drawing conclusions about a population from a sample only ✓
3. C testing hypotheses about unknown populations only ✓
4. D designing experiments without summarizing data ✓

Inferential statistics deals with

1. A only arranging raw data in tables ✓
2. B only computing the mean of a complete census ✓
3. C only labeling variables without analysis ✓
4. D making generalizations about a population based on sample data ✓

A population in statistics refers to

1. A only a small portion selected for convenience ✓
2. B the complete set of individuals or items under study ✓
3. C only the arithmetic mean of observations ✓
4. D only the largest value in a dataset ✓

A sample is

1. A a subset of the population selected for study ✓
2. B the entire population always ✓
3. C only the mode of the data ✓
4. D only theoretical assumptions ✓

A parameter is

1. A a numerical characteristic of a population ✓
2. B a numerical characteristic of a sample only ✓
3. C only a graph type ✓
4. D only a unit of measurement ✓