BSE Engineering Statistics and Data-Driven Decision Making 3

Question 1

A manager must choose between two suppliers based on lead time data. Supplier A has a mean of 5 days (σ=0.5), Supplier B has a mean of 5 days (σ=2). Which statistical measure best differentiates them?

Accepted Answer

Standard deviation

Answer

Since both suppliers have the same mean, standard deviation is the appropriate measure to compare the variability (consistency) of their lead times.

Question 2

In Design of Experiments (DOE), a 'blocking' factor is used to:

Accepted Answer

Reduce variability by grouping experimental units with similar characteristics

Answer

Blocking groups experimental units that are similar to reduce nuisance variability, allowing the treatment effects to be estimated more precisely.

Question 3

The Central Limit Theorem (CLT) states that as sample size increases, the sampling distribution of the sample mean:

Accepted Answer

Approaches a normal distribution regardless of population shape

Answer

The CLT guarantees that the distribution of sample means approaches normality as n increases, regardless of the underlying population distribution.

Question 4

Which regression diagnostic is used to detect heteroscedasticity (non-constant variance) in residuals?

Accepted Answer

Residuals vs. fitted values plot

Answer

A plot of residuals versus fitted values reveals heteroscedasticity if the spread of residuals changes systematically across the range of fitted values.

Question 5

An engineering team runs an ANOVA and obtains a significant F-statistic. What does this tell the team?

Accepted Answer

At least one group mean differs significantly from the others

Answer

A significant F-test in ANOVA indicates that at least one group mean is different, but does not specify which pair(s) differ — post-hoc tests are needed for that.

BSE - Mgt Bachelor of Science in Engineering Management Practice Test

BSE - Mgt Bachelor of Science in Engineering Management Practice Test

BSE Engineering Statistics and Data-Driven Decision Making 3