A random sample of 144 adults has a mean hemoglobin of 13 g/dL with a standard deviation of 2 g/dL. The standard error of the mean is:
- A 0.167 g/dL ✓
- B 0.333 g/dL
- C 2.0 g/dL
- D 13.0 g/dL
Correct answer: A. 0.167 g/dL
Explanation
Standard error of the mean equals the standard deviation divided by the square root of the sample size: SE = 2 / sqrt(144) = 2 / 12 = 0.167 g/dL. Option C is the standard deviation itself, which measures individual variability rather than the precision of the sample mean estimate.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 26th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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