Final answer:
The correct answer to the question about outliers is d. Both a and b, because outliers can both distort statistical analysis and indicate errors in data, but they do not always fall within the normal data range. Outliers need to be assessed individually to determine their impact on the analysis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question pertains to a mathematical concept known as outliers, which are data points significantly different from the rest of the dataset. From the options given, the accurate statements regarding outliers are: b. Outliers may indicate errors in data. Not all outliers distort statistical analysis; this depends on the context and the type of analysis being performed. Also, outliers do not always fall within the normal data range; by definition, they stand out from it.
The correct answer to the question 'Which of the following statements about outliers is/are accurate?' is d. Both a and b, implying both that outliers can distort statistical analysis and may indicate errors in the data collection or entry process. However, it is important to note that this distortion is not a foregone conclusion and must be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Also, outliers are not always errors; sometimes they represent true variability in the data or special conditions of interest.
For case a, using an Interquartile Range (IQR) test to identify outliers, one would calculate the range within which most data points should lie. Data points significantly outside this range could be considered outliers. In part c, outliers may also be identified by checking if any data points are more than two standard deviations away from the mean, which is a common rule of thumb for normally distributed data.