Question

I had trouble with question. The question goes as follows:

Determine whether the underlined number is a statistic or a parameter.

In a study of all 2904 professors at a college, it is found that 65% own a television.  

I chose: Statistic because the value is a numerical measurement describing a characteristic of a sample.  

The correct answer is: Parameter because the value is a numerical measurement describing a characteristic of a population.  

I understand that statistics go with samples and that parameters go with populations. I am confused about why, in this problem, that the 2904 professors at the college are considered a population. This seems more like a sample to me because I thought that we would be trying to draw conclusions about professors in all colleges across a city or country, rather than just this specific college. Is this a case of just paying very close attention to the wording of a question?  

According to Triola in our textbook, "A population is the complete collection of all measurements or data that are being considered. Typically, a population is the complete collection of data that we would like to make inferences about (4)." "A sample is a subcollection of members selected from a population (4)."

Please explain to me why. Thanks.

Answer 1

"A population is the complete collection of all measurements or data that are being considered

here reading the statement carefully,

In a study of all 2904 professors at a college

we should consider it as a population , as the college is being considerd and professors are population

since, ALL professors are taken for study, this is popualton

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I thought that we would be trying to draw conclusions about professors in all colleges across a city or country, rather than just this specific college

THIS IS NOT THE CASE

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THANKS

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