Question 1

A variable is any characteristic of a population or sample.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Variables can be quantitative, such as age or weight, or categorical, such as gender or race. They are used to describe or measure differences among individuals or groups in a population or sample.

Question 2

Sampling error may be reduced by increasing the sample size but non-sampling error cannot be reduced by increasing the sample size.

Accepted Answer

Sampling error is reduced by increasing the sample size because a larger sample size provides a more representative sample of the population. However, non-sampling error is caused by factors such as biased data collection, measurement errors, or sample selection bias, and cannot be reduced by simply increasing the sample size. Non-sampling error can only be minimized by improving the research design and data collection process.

Question 3

When the population is divided into mutually exclusive sets, and then a simple random sample is drawn from each set, this is called:&#10;A) simple random sampling.&#10;B) stratified random sampling.&#10;C) cluster sampling.&#10;D) selection bias.

Accepted Answer

The described sampling method is stratified random sampling, where the population is divided into subsets (strata) and a simple random sample is taken from each stratum. This method ensures that each stratum is represented in the sample and can improve the accuracy and precision of estimates compared to simple random sampling alone. Cluster sampling is when the population is divided into non-mutually exclusive groups (clusters) and a sample of clusters is drawn, while selection bias refers to a systematic error in the sampling process.

Question 4

A professor of economics intends to compare the performances of first year students at the four campuses of the university. In order to do so, she selects a random sample of 40 students from each campus. What is this type of sampling called?

A) Stratified random sampling.
B) Simple random sampling.
C) Cluster sampling.
D) None of these choices are correct.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of stratified random sampling because the population (first-year students) has been divided into strata (campuses) and a random sample has been taken from each stratum.

Question 5

Which of the following is not an example of primary data?&#10;A) Data published by the United States Bureau of Census.&#10;B) Data published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.&#10;C) Data published by the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX).&#10;D) Data published by the United Nations Statistical Division.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is not an...

Question 6

Which of the following sampling plans uses random methods of selection?&#10;A) Simple random sampling.&#10;B) Simple random sampling, stratified random sampling and cluster sampling.&#10;C) Simple random sampling and stratified random sampling.&#10;D) Cluster sampling.

Accepted Answer

Simple random sampling, stratified random sampling and cluster sampling all use random methods of selection. Simple random sampling selects individuals randomly from the population, stratified random sampling divides the population into strata and then randomly selects individuals from each stratum, and cluster sampling divides the population into clusters and then randomly selects entire clusters to sample. Cluster sampling and stratified random sampling are more efficient than simple random sampling for large, heterogeneous populations.

Question 7

Stratified sampling is preferred over cluster sampling when it is difficult or costly to develop a complete list of the population members.

Accepted Answer

Stratified sampling requires a complete list of the population to ensure each subgroup (stratum) is represented, whereas cluster sampling is more practical when it's difficult or costly to obtain a complete list, as it involves randomly selecting clusters from a list of all clusters and then sampling within those clusters.

Question 8

Describe the key differences between numerical data and nominal data.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the key differences between numerical data...

Question 9

Which of the following is an example of non-sampling errors?&#10;A) Errors that arise from the recording of incorrect responses.&#10;B) Errors that arise when responses are not obtained from some members of the sample.&#10;C) Errors that arise when some members of the target population cannot possibly be selected in the sample.&#10;D) All of these choices are correct.

Accepted Answer

Non-sampling errors include all types of errors that occur during the data collection process other than those related to the act of selecting a sample. This includes recording incorrect responses (A), not obtaining responses from some members of the sample (B), and the inability to select some members of the target population in the sample (C).

Question 10

When every possible sample of size n has the same chance of being selected, this is called:&#10;A) simple random sampling.&#10;B) stratified random sampling.&#10;C) cluster sampling.&#10;D) sampling error.

Accepted Answer

Simple random sampling ensures that every possible sample of size n has the same chance of being selected, making it an unbiased method of sampling.

Question 11

Which of the following must be avoided in designing a questionnaire?&#10;A) Dichotomous questions.&#10;B) Leading questions.&#10;C) Open-ended questions.&#10;D) Demographic questions.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following must be avoided...

Question 12

Which of the following refers to the differences between the sample and the population that exist only because of the observations that happened to be selected for the sample?&#10;A) Response bias&#10;B) Non-response bias&#10;C) Sampling error&#10;D) Non-sampling error

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following refers to the...

Question 13

Which of the following is a characteristic of cluster sampling?&#10;A) The population is not divided.&#10;B) The population is divided into groups of similar characteristics.&#10;C) The population is divided into homogeneous groups.&#10;D) The population is divided into heterogeneous groups

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is a characteristic...

Question 14

Briefly describe three types of non-sampling errors.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Briefly describe three types of non-sampling errors....

Question 15

The target population is the population about which we want to draw inferences, whereas the sampled population is the actual population from which the sample has been drawn.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The target population is the population about...

Question 16

A customer advocacy group would like to compare customers' satisfaction with four financial institutions. Describe a sampling plan that would be suitable for studying customers' satisfaction and for comparing the banks.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A customer advocacy group would like to...

Deck 2: Types of Data, Data Collection and Sampling