Why would one not be surprised that when students were asked how many minutes they studied on a typical weeknight, most responses are in multiples of ten minutes????
This question seems to be more about psychology than statistics.
Most people don't recall study time intervals very accurately, so they tend to recall them in terms of one significant figure. Ten is the basis of our numbering system. Most do not study more than 90 minutes, probably. Thinking in terms of fractions of an hour is awkward.
THANKS!
You're welcome! You're correct that this question is more about psychology than statistics. When students were asked how many minutes they studied on a typical weeknight, it is not surprising that most responses are in multiples of ten minutes due to a few reasons:
1. Inaccuracy in recalling time intervals: Generally, people are not very accurate when it comes to recalling specific time intervals, especially for routine activities like studying. The human memory can be faulty, and people often rely on estimations rather than precise measurements.
2. Recalling in significant figures: When people try to recall study time intervals, they often round the numbers to one significant figure. In this case, the significant figure commonly used is ten. It is the basis of our numbering system, and we often think and process information in terms of tens.
3. Ease of classification: Multiples of ten provide an easy way to classify and categorize responses. It is simpler to group and analyze data when responses are in rounded numbers. Using intervals of ten minutes makes it easier to summarize and interpret the data collected.
4. Reluctance to use fractions: Many people may find it awkward or less intuitive to think in terms of fractions of an hour when reporting study time. It is more natural for individuals to think in whole numbers or rounded increments, which are often multiples of ten.
Overall, these psychological factors like inaccuracy in memory, rounding to significant figures, simplicity in classification, and aversion to fractions contribute to the observed pattern of most responses being in multiples of ten minutes when students are asked about their study time on a typical weeknight.