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Whose results are more reliable, and why?

A) Student 1, because they have a wider range.
B) Student 1, because they have a narrower range.
C) Student 2, because they have a narrower range.
D) Student 2, because they have a wider range.

1 Answer

2 votes

Final answer:

The reliability of results is often higher with a narrower range because it suggests more consistency in the measurements. Thus, Student 2's results with a narrower range are typically more reliable.

Step-by-step explanation:

When assessing the reliability of results from two students' experiments, we have to consider the variability and size of their samples. A narrower range of data suggests smaller variability and often indicates that the measurements are more consistent, thus potentially more reliable, assuming that systematic errors are not present. A wider range of data may suggest greater variability among the data points. In the context of confidence intervals, a 95 percent confidence interval excludes more of the distribution than a 99 percent confidence interval and so it is narrower, which is often considered more precise as it gives a more conservative estimate. Moreover, sampling variability often arises due to drawing different samples from a population, and in such cases, the results will be similar but not exactly the same. However, larger sample sizes tend to reduce this variability, leading to more reliable statistics.

Considering these principles, the correct answer to the given question is C) Student 2, because they have a narrower range. Having a narrower range suggests that the student's results are more consistent and thus, more reliable.

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