Question 1

A parameter represents
A) the geographical boundary of a population.
B) certain characteristics of a random sample.
C) fixed characteristics of a population.
D) fixed characteristics of a nonprobability sample.
E) an unbiased estimator of the population mean.

Accepted Answer

A parameter is a fixed characteristic or measure of an entire population, such as a population mean or standard deviation.

Question 2

A researcher wants to be able to assess the amount of "sampling error" associated with an estimate. Which of the following sampling methods would you recommend she use?
A) Convenience
B) Quota
C) Nonprobability
D) Probability
E) Judgment

Accepted Answer

Probability sampling methods allow for the calculation of sampling error because they involve random selection, which enables the use of statistical techniques to estimate the error.

Question 3

Which sampling plan takes advantage of the fact that, all else equal, smaller samples are required to estimate a population parameter if there is little variation on the characteristic in the group being sampled?
A) Area
B) Stratified
C) Snowball
D) Simple random
E) Quota

Accepted Answer

Stratified sampling involves dividing the population into subgroups (strata) that are similar in some way, and then taking a sample from each stratum. This method reduces variability within each subgroup, allowing for smaller sample sizes to achieve the same level of precision in estimating the population parameter.

Question 4

Which of the following statements does NOT describe a probability sample?
A) Some members of the population have a zero chance of being included in the sample.
B) Each member of the population has a known chance of being included in the sample.
C) Each member may not have an equal chance of being included in the sample.
D) A member's probability of inclusion is determined by the specific, procedure that is used to select sample elements.
E) The concept of sampling distribution is crucial.

Accepted Answer

In a probability sample, every member of the population must have a non-zero chance of being included in the sample.

Question 5

Judgement samples are appropriate
A) in the early stages of research when ideas or insights are being sought.
B) when the researcher realizes the limitations of judgment samples.
C) when it is the only way to develop a sample of people who meet specific criteria that don't occur frequently and/or cannot easily be observed.
D) All of the above.
E) Judgement samples are never appropriate.

Accepted Answer

Judgment samples are appropriate when the researcher needs to develop a sample of people who meet specific criteria that don't occur frequently and/or cannot easily be observed. They are also appropriate in the early stages of research when ideas or insights are being sought.

Question 6

A researcher wishes to sample from a population in which two important segments make up less than 2% of the population, but wishes to develop confidence intervals describing their behaviors. Which type of sampling is most appropriate?
A) Stratified sampling
B) Convenience sampling
C) Systematic sampling
D) Simple random sampling
E) Judgment sampling

Accepted Answer

Stratified sampling is most appropriate because it ensures that these small but important segments are adequately represented in the sample by dividing the population into strata and sampling from each stratum.

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT true for simple random sampling?
A) Each element has a known chance of being selected.
B) Each element has a non-zero chance of being selected.
C) Each element has an equal chance of being selected.
D) Each combination of n population elements has an equal chance of being selected.
E) All of the above are true statements.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is NOT true...

Question 8

Which of the following are advantages of stratified over simple random sampling?
A) Ensures adequate representation from each stratum of interest.
B) Can produce more precise sample statistics.
C) Allows for the comparison of variables between strata.
D) Takes advantage of homogeneity within groups.
E) All of the above.

Accepted Answer

Stratified sampling ensures representation from each subgroup, can yield more precise estimates by reducing variance, allows for comparisons between strata, and leverages homogeneity within groups to improve accuracy.

Question 9

The distinguishing feature of probability samples is that
A) they involve personal judgment somewhere in the selection of sample elements.
B) each population element has an equal chance of being included in the sample.
C) each population element has an equal chance of being included in the sample and every combination of n population elements is a sample possibility.
D) each population element has a known chance of being included in the sample.
E) they will always be more representative of the population than nonprobability samples.

Accepted Answer

Probability samples are characterized by the fact that each population element has a known, non-zero chance of being included in the sample, which allows for statistical inference about the population.

Question 10

A researcher wants to study the effects of social class on consumption behavior. He establishes three different categories of social class in terms of amount of income. He then assigns each field worker a specified number of interviews with people in each income category although the interviewers are allowed to select who they interview. This is an example of
A) probability sampling.
B) stratified sampling.
C) systematic sampling.
D) quota sampling.
E) random sampling.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of quota sampling because the researcher sets quotas for the number of interviews in each income category, but the interviewers have the freedom to choose the respondents within those categories.

Question 11

In order to use a table of random numbers to draw a simple random sample, the researcher must
A) serially number the sample elements.
B) specify the parent population distribution.
C) calculate the population variance.
D) serially number the population elements.
E) assume that the central-limit theorem holds for the population in question.

Accepted Answer

To draw a simple random sample using a table of random numbers, the researcher must serially number the population elements to ensure each element has an equal chance of being selected.

Question 12

The sampling distribution of a statistic refers to the
A) range of all possible sample values of the statistic that could be drawn from the parent population under the specified sampling plan.
B) distribution of the variable in the parent population.
C) distribution of the variable in a particular sample.
D) spread of the variable in the parent population.
E) unbiased nature of most sample statistics.

Accepted Answer

The sampling distribution of a statistic is the probability distribution of that statistic obtained through a large number of samples drawn from a specific population. It represents all possible values that the statistic can take from different samples.

Question 13

The feature that distinguishes stratified sampling from other forms of probability sampling is that only stratified samples
A) involve partitioning the parent population into mutually exclusive and exhaustive subsets.
B) allow the a priori determination of the probability that any population element will be included in the sample.
C) make the probability of selection of any population element equal.
D) involve partitioning the parent population into mutually exclusive and exhaustive subsets and selecting a simple random sample from each subset.
E) None of the above.

Accepted Answer

Stratified sampling is unique because it involves dividing the population into mutually exclusive and exhaustive subsets (strata) and then taking a simple random sample from each stratum.

Question 14

The range within which to population parameter is likely to fall in the population based on the sample statistic is known as the
A) confidence frame.
B) sampling interval.
C) confidence interval.
D) sampling frame.
E) parameter interval.

Accepted Answer

The confidence interval is the range within which the population parameter is likely to fall in the population based on the sample statistic.

Question 15

With a probability sampling plan
A) every population element has some chance of being included in the sample.
B) there is a random component in how population elements are selected for the sample.
C) we can make inferences to the larger population based on the results from the sample.
D) ee can estimate the likely amount of sampling error.
E) All of the above.

Accepted Answer

Probability sampling ensures that every element has a chance of selection, involves randomness, allows for population inferences, and enables estimation of sampling error, making all statements correct.

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a probability sample?
A) Simple random sample
B) Stratified sample
C) Cluster sample
D) Judgment sample
E) All of the above are probability samples.

Accepted Answer

A judgment sample is not a probability sample because it relies on the subjective judgment of the researcher rather than random selection.

Question 17

Under which of the following conditions can the population mean be estimated without error employing a stratified sample?
A) When the population is partitioned so that the number of elements in each stratum is proportional to size of the sample to be taken from each stratum.
B) When the population is partitioned so that the elements in each stratum are equal.
C) When the population is partitioned in such a way that the variances within strata are equal.
D) When the population is partitioned so that the elements in each stratum are normally distributed.
E) None of the above.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Under which of the following conditions can...

Question 18

A researcher divides the population of the purchasers of Brand X into heavy and light users. He then chooses a random sample independently from each group. This is an example of______________sampling.
A) nonprobability
B) random
C) judgmental
D) stratified
E) quota

Accepted Answer

This is an example of stratified sampling, where the population is divided into distinct subgroups (heavy and light users) and random samples are taken from each subgroup.

Question 19

A derived population refers to
A) estimates of population parameters derived from nonprobability sampling plans.
B) the best samples that can be drawn from a population using multiple sampling schemes.
C) the sample drawn from the parent population using a simple random sampling plan.
D) a division of the parent population made to reduce the parent population to manageable size.
E) all the possible samples that can be drawn from the parent population using a given sampling plan.

Accepted Answer

A derived population refers to all the possible samples that can be drawn from the parent population using a given sampling plan.

Question 20

Population variance is
A) an unbiased estimator of sample variance.
B) equivalent to the standard error of the mean.
C) always unknown when using probability sampling.
D) a measure of the spread of values from their mean.
E) always known when using probability sampling.

Accepted Answer

Population variance is a measure of the spread of values from their mean, indicating how much the values in a population differ from the average value.

Quiz 14: Developing the Sampling Plan

A parameter represents

A researcher wants to be able to assess the amount of "sampling error" associated with an estimate. Which of the following sampling methods would you recommend she use?

Which sampling plan takes advantage of the fact that, all else equal, smaller samples are required to estimate a population parameter if there is little variation on the characteristic in the group being sampled?

Which of the following statements does NOT describe a probability sample?

Judgement samples are appropriate

A researcher wishes to sample from a population in which two important segments make up less than 2% of the population, but wishes to develop confidence intervals describing their behaviors. Which type of sampling is most appropriate?

Which of the following is NOT true for simple random sampling?

Which of the following are advantages of stratified over simple random sampling?

The distinguishing feature of probability samples is that

In order to use a table of random numbers to draw a simple random sample, the researcher must

The sampling distribution of a statistic refers to the

The feature that distinguishes stratified sampling from other forms of probability sampling is that only stratified samples

The range within which to population parameter is likely to fall in the population based on the sample statistic is known as the

With a probability sampling plan

Which of the following is NOT a probability sample?

Under which of the following conditions can the population mean be estimated without error employing a stratified sample?

A researcher divides the population of the purchasers of Brand X into heavy and light users. He then chooses a random sample independently from each group. This is an example of______________sampling.

A derived population refers to

Population variance is