For each of the following research situations, identify the level of measurement of all variables and indicate whether they are discrete or continuous. Also, decide which statistical applications are used: descriptive statistics (single variable), descriptive statistics (two or more variables), or inferential statistics. Remember that it is quite common for a given situation to require more than one type of application.

a. The administration of your university is proposing a change in parking policy. You select a random sample of students and ask each one if he or she favors or opposes the change.

b. You ask everyone in your social research class to tell you the highest grade he or she ever received in a math course and the grade on a recent statistics test. You then compare the two sets of scores to see if there is any relationship.

c. Your aunt is running for mayor and hires you

(for a huge fee, incidentally) to question a sample of voters about their concerns in local politics. Specifically, she wants a profile of the voters that will tell her what percentage belong to each political party, what percentage are male or female, and what percentage favor or oppose the widening of the main street in town.

d. Several years ago, a state reinstituted the death penalty for first-degree homicide. Supporters of capital punishment argued that this change would reduce the homicide rate. To investigate this claim, a researcher has gathered information on the number of homicides in the state for the two-year periods before and after the change.

e. A local automobile dealer is concerned about customer satisfaction. He wants to mail a survey form to all customers for the past year and ask them if they are satisfied, very satisfied, or not satisfied with their purchases.