单选题

When an analyst is unsure of the underlying population distribution, which of the following is least likely to increase the reliability of parameter estimates?

A、 Increase in the sample size
B、 Use of point estimates rather than confidence intervals
C、 Use of the t-distribution rather than the normal distribution to establish confidence intervals

【正确答案】 B

【答案解析】

B is correct. Point estimates are not as reliable as confidence interval estimates. A conservative approach to confidence intervals relies on the tdistribution rather than the normal distribution, and use of the t-distribution will increase the reliability of the confidence interval. Increasing the sample size increases the reliability of the confidence interval.