Question 1

In which type of sampling method is the objective for the total sample to have proportional representation of the strata of the target population, and selection of elements is done on a convenience basis?

Accepted Answer

Quota sampling aims for the sample to reflect the proportions of different strata within the population, but the selection of the sample elements is based on convenience rather than random selection.

Question 2

A researcher studying the effect of brands appearing in movies on consumers' attitudes has determined that there should be twice as many sampling elements in the 18-25 age group as there are in the other age groups because this group is the most frequent moviegoers. Which type of sampling method is this researcher using?

Accepted Answer

This researcher is using quota sampling, which involves selecting participants based on specific characteristics such as age, gender, or occupation, to ensure proportional representation of different subgroups in the sample. By selecting twice as many participants from the 18-25 age group, the researcher is using quota sampling to ensure that this group is adequately represented in the sample.

Question 3

Which type of sampling involved selecting initial respondents typically using probability methods but then have them help identify other respondents in the target population?

Accepted Answer

This is a description of snowball sampling.

Question 4

A snowball sample is also called a(n) _____ sample.

Accepted Answer

A snowball sample is also called a referral sample because participants refer other participants, creating a chain of referrals.

Question 5

Kim randomly selects ten people to participate in her study. To increase her sample size, Kim asks each respondent to refer her to two other individuals that are similar to the original respondent. She then asks those individuals for two more individuals that are similar to them. Kim is using a _____ sample.

Accepted Answer

Kim is using a snowball sample, where participants are recruited via referrals from other participants. This can be a useful method for reaching populations that may be difficult to access through other sampling methods.

Question 6

Which is NOT a decision that must be made when statistical formulas are used to determine the sample size?

Accepted Answer

Population size is not typically a decision that needs to be made when determining sample size, as long as the population size is very large (usually considered to be over 100,000). In most cases, the focus is on determining the degree of confidence, specified level of precision, and amount of variability needed in the sample.

Question 7

What does the researcher need to know to apply a statistical formula for the calculation of the appropriate sample size?

Accepted Answer

The researcher needs to know the degree of confidence, variability, and desired precision to calculate the appropriate sample size. Population size is not always necessary unless the population is very small.

Question 8

A sample is not a reasonably large portion of the population.

Accepted Answer

A sample represents only a small subset of the population and may not accurately reflect the entire population. A larger sample size is generally needed to ensure accuracy and reduce the impact of sampling error.

Question 9

A sampling unit is the complete group of objects or elements relevant to the research project.

Accepted Answer

A sampling unit is an individual element or object from the population being studied, not the complete group.

Question 10

In nonprobability sampling, elements are selected randomly and the selection probabilities are preset by the researcher.

Accepted Answer

In nonprobability sampling, the selection probabilities are not preset or known, and elements are not selected randomly, which makes the sample less representative of the population.

Question 11

Systematic sampling is a process that involves randomly selecting an initial starting point on a list and thereafter every nth element from the sampling frame is selected.

Accepted Answer

This is the correct definition of systematic sampling.

Question 12

Stratified sampling requires a researcher to partition the sampling frame into subgroups that are mixed and overlapping.

Accepted Answer

Stratified sampling involves dividing the population into distinct, non-overlapping subgroups (strata) based on specific characteristics, and then sampling from each subgroup.

Question 13

Cluster sampling puts the target population into different groups called clusters.

Accepted Answer

Cluster sampling involves dividing the population into clusters or groups before selecting a sample to obtain a representative sample of the population.

Question 14

Multistage cluster sampling does not actually involve a sequence of stages.

Accepted Answer

Multistage cluster sampling involves a sequence of stages. The population is first divided into clusters, then a subset of clusters are randomly selected, and then a random sample is taken from within each selected cluster. This process involves multiple stages, making it a multistage cluster sampling method.

Question 15

An example of the use of a convenience sample would be a professor interviewing students at a university.

Accepted Answer

Convenience sampling involves selecting participants who are easily accessible or readily available, rather than using a random or representative sample. In this case, the professor can easily select students from their own university as they are easily accessible to them.

Question 16

Quota sampling is not similar to stratified random sampling.

Accepted Answer

Quota sampling and stratified random sampling are both methods of selecting a sample from a larger population, but they differ in their approach. Stratified random sampling divides the population into strata and selects a random sample from each stratum, ensuring proportional representation of each group in the population. Quota sampling, on the other hand, sets quotas for certain characteristics (such as gender or age) and selects participants who meet those criteria until the quota is met. Therefore, quota sampling does not ensure proportional representation of each group in the population, making it different from stratified random sampling.

Question 17

Explain the difference between a census and a sample and discuss why a sample may be preferred over a census.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain the difference between a census and...

Question 18

List the five steps in the sampling process.

Accepted Answer

The answer of List the five steps in the sampling...

Question 19

Compare and contrast probability and non-probability sampling and list the methods used in each type.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Compare and contrast probability and non-probability sampling...

Question 20

Explain why a sample of 500 is equally useful in understanding the opinions of a target population of 15 million as it is for one of 100,000. Is this true for populations of 1,000? Explain.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain why a sample of 500 is...

Quiz 7: Sampling Approaches and Considerations