Quality Quiz:
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Hyde N. Sikh, head of operations at Blackern Dirt Mining Company, is considering purchase of a new excavator system created by Deep Core Values, Inc. He has agreed to a trial use of the giant digger, in order to ascertain whether it will affect the total cost of mining at his operation.
As the trial period comes to a conclusion, Sikh brings data gathered by chief engineer, Foss L. Fyuel, to Polly Yurathane, quality manager, for analysis.
DAY |
Total cost |
Tons of coal mined |
Type of excavator used |
1 |
3 |
1 |
5 |
2 |
4 |
3 |
5 |
3 |
6 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
7 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
6 |
5 |
6 |
2 |
1 |
10 |
7 |
2 |
3 |
10 |
8 |
3 |
4 |
10 |
9 |
4 |
5 |
10 |
10 |
5 |
6 |
10 |
Polly approaches regression analysis for this data with some trepidation, but forges ahead regardless, announcing that she will rate the old excavating system as a 5, and the Deep Core machine as a 10, and then pursue multiple regression.
Since setting up the regression is one key to accurate analysis, it is critical to determine whether Polly’s approach will provide the desired comparison of the two machines with respect to their impact on the larger process. Has Polly organized the data in such a way that it will generate reliable analysis?
a) Yes. Assigning a value of 5 and 10 for the two machines will help to distinguish their impacts;
b) No. Polly’s arbitrary decision will not facilitate reliable analysis.
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2007 PQ Systems.
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