Self-Assessment Module 4




Introduction Instructions Resources Assessment 1. Algebraic Notation and Operations 2. Descriptive Statistics 3. Tabular Displays of Data 4. Graphical Displays of Data 5. Research Topics, Theory, Constructs, Questions, and Hypothesis 6. Research Designs 7. Measurement 8. Sampling 9. Probability 10. Basics of Inferential Statistics 11. One-Group Inferential Statistics 12. Two-Group Inferential Statistics 13. Critiquing Education and Social Science Research Answer Key		Module 4: Graphical Displays of Data This section assesses the interpretation of data presented in graphical displays. Such presentations are common in quantitative research. Graph 4.1 Percentage of U.S. 16-24 Year-Olds Who Were Dropouts Source: Kaufman, P. et. al. (2000). Dropout Rates in the United States: 1999 Educational Statistics Quarterly 2 (4). Question 1: What is the main conclusion suggested by Graph 4.1? A. Dropout rates of young adults have dropped by about half since 1972. B. Dropout rates of young adults are erradic C. Dropout rates of young adults will soon be almost zero D. Dropout rates of young adults dropped by about 1/4 since 1972 (from 14.5 percent to 11.2 percent) E. None of the above Question 2: What do the double diagonal slashes in the vertical axes of Graph 4.1 indicate? A. They are just decorative B. They mean that not all the vertical axis is shown in the graph C. That the axis is approximate D. That the data cannot be relied upon E. None of the above Question 3: Given the information in Graph 4.1, by about when can we expect the young adult dropout rate to be almost zero? A. About 2025 B. About 2050 C. About 2075 D. About 2100 E. None of the above Question 4: What effect would there be on the appearance of Graph 4.1 if the horizontal scale of 1972-1999 were stretched out to the right margin? A. The decline in dropout rates would visually appear less steep, even though the rates plotted would remain the same. B. The decline in dropout rates would appear greater C. The rates would decline further to about 9 percent D. The rates would decline to almost zero E. None of the above