A study reports the mean weight of newborns as 3.2 kg with a standard error of 0.05 kg. Which statement is correct?
- A The standard deviation of birth weight in the sample is 0.05 kg
- B If the sample size were increased fourfold, the standard error would approximately halve ✓
- C About 95% of newborns in the sample weigh between 3.1 and 3.3 kg
- D The standard error measures the variability of individual observations around the sample mean
Correct answer: B. If the sample size were increased fourfold, the standard error would approximately halve
Explanation
Standard error equals SD divided by the square root of sample size. Quadrupling n halves the SE. Option A confuses SE with SD. Option C misapplies the 95% range to individual observations rather than the confidence interval for the mean. Option D describes standard deviation, not standard error.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 26th ed.
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