Deck 7: The Logic of Sampling

Question 1

The chief purpose of probability sampling is to be able to select

A)simple random samples.
B)a sample whose statistics will accurately portray an unknown population parameter.
C)a sample whose parameters will accurately portray an unknown population statistic.
D)a sample whose statistics will accurately portray a known population parameter.
E)a sample whose unknown statistics will accurately portray a known parameter.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

You want to examine the relationship between family size and family cohesion.You use as your sample all the students in your research methods class.What kind of sampling design are you using?

A)simple random sampling
B)quota sampling
C)cluster sampling
D)stratified sampling
E)reliance on available subjects

Answer 2

E

Question 3

If a field researcher wanted to learn a political organization's pattern of recruitment over time,the researcher might begin by interviewing a fairly recent recruit and ask who introduced that person to the organization.Then the researcher might interview the person named and ask who introduced that person to the political organization.This would be an example of

A)snowball sampling.
B)systematic sampling.
C)deviant cases sampling.
D)accidental sampling.
E)quota sampling.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Which of the following statements about informants is FALSE?

A)An informant is a member of the group that you want to study.
B)You usually want to select informants who are somewhat typical of the group that you are studying.
C)Informants are sometimes marginal within their group.
D)Informants are useful in field research.
E)The terms informant and respondent are interchangeable.

Question 5

According to probability theory:

A) 75% of a sample falls within plus or minus one standard error of the population parameter.
B) 90% of a sample falls within plus or minus one standard error of the population parameter.
C) 50% of a sample falls within plus or minus one standard error of the population parameter.
D) 68% of a sample falls within plus or minus one standard error of the population parameter.
E) 58% of a sample falls within plus or minus one standard error of the population parameter.

Question 6

John is looking to randomly select 100 students in his college to take part in a graduate research study on underage drinking.He has a list of all students that is numbered.To select participants,he uses a random number table to choose them.What form of sampling is John using?

A)systematic sampling.
B)snowball sampling.
C)simple random sampling.
D)multistage cluster sampling.
E)stratified sampling.

Question 7

Every kth element in a list is chosen for inclusion in the sample in

A)simple random sampling.
B)systematic sampling.
C)disproportionate sampling.
D)cluster sampling.
E)stratified sampling.

Question 8

Probability samples are advantageous to the researcher because

A)the method by which they are selected limits conscious and unconscious sampling bias.
B)the accuracy or representativeness of the sample can be estimated.
C)they are perfectly representative of the population from which they are drawn.
D)the method by which they are selected limits conscious and unconscious sampling bias, and the accuracy of the sample can be estimated.
E)the method by which they are selected limits conscious and unconscious sampling bias, the accuracy of the sample can be estimated, and they are perfectly representative of the population from which they are drawn.

Question 9

The unit about which information is collected and that provides the basis of analysis is called a(n)

A)universe.
B)sampling unit.
C)unit of analysis.
D)sampling frame.
E)element.

Question 10

In general,as sample size increases

A)the standard error increases in size.
B)the standard error decreases in size.
C)the standard error will remain the same regardless of changes in sample size.
D)the standard error is a constant.
E)the standard error fluctuates in size.

Question 11

In terms of probability theory,the standard error is valuable because

A)it is an estimate of the parameter.
B)it is an estimate of the statistic.
C)it indicates the extent to which the sample estimates will be distributed around the population parameter.
D)it indicates the extent to which the sample estimates will be distributed around the population parameter and thereby gives us an estimate of the parameter.
E)it indicates the extent to which the sample estimates will be distributed around the population parameter and thereby gives us an estimate of the statistic.

Question 12

The age distribution of all citizens within a sample from a city is an example of a

A)variable.
B)parameter.
C)confidence level.
D)confidence interval.
E)statistic.

Question 13

Drawing a judgmental sample

A)allows researchers to use their knowledge about the topic or population.
B)enlists the aid of uninformed respondents.
C)results in a sample that has no researcher bias.
D)ensures a representative sample.
E)requires the development of a quota matrix.

Question 14

Within a local college,sociology majors constitute 20% of freshmen,20% of sophomores,30% of juniors,and 25% of seniors.Jennifer wants to make sure that her sample proportionally matches the population of sociology majors.Which method of sampling should she employ to be successful?

A) quota sampling.
B) cluster sampling.
C) simple random sampling
D) accidental sampling.
E) systematic sampling.

Question 15

Which of the following statements is FALSE?

A)If all the members of a population were identical there would be no need for sampling.
B)In cases of perfect homogeneity a single case could represent an entire population.
C)In cases of perfect heterogeneity a single case could represent an entire population.
D)Because elements within the population differ, we need to do careful sampling.
E)A truly representative sample will accurately reflect an entire population.

Question 16

If you were performing research within a police department and you wanted to ensure that an equal number of officers from each rank and division were included,but you want to use a method of selecting them based on probability,what would you choose as your method?

A)simple random sampling.
B)quota sampling.
C)cluster sampling.
D)stratified sampling.
E)accidental sampling.

Question 17

Nonprobability sampling

A)always produces samples that possess distorted characteristics relative to the population.
B)denies the researcher the use of statistical theory to estimate the probability of correct inferences.
C)should never be used under any circumstances.
D)includes stratified sampling.
E)requires the use of sampling frames.

Question 18

A sampling interval of 5 was used to select a sample from a population of 1000.The researcher should start sampling with

A)the 5th element on the list.
B)a random start between 1 and 1000, including 1 and 1000.
C)a random start between 1 and 5, including 1 and 5.
D)a random start between 1 and 5, excluding either 1 or 5.
E)the researcher's favorite number.

Question 19

You are doing research on hospital personnel including orderlies,technicians,nurses,and doctors.You want to be sure you draw a sample that has cases in each of the personnel categories.You want to use nonprobability sampling.An appropriate strategy would be

A)simple random sampling.
B)quota sampling.
C)cluster sampling.
D)stratified sampling.
E)accidental sampling.

Question 20

A sampling interval of 5 was used to select a sample from a population of 1000.How many elements are to be in the sample?

A)5
B)50
C)100
D)200
E)1000

Question 21

After taking a random start between 1 and 20 and then taking every 20th element from the sampling frame,Smith learned that 40% of the sample believed the company's president was doing a good job.The calculated standard error was 3 percent.Assuming a normal distribution,this means that

A)between 37% and 43% of the employees believe the president is doing a good job.
B)you are 95% certain that between 37% and 43% of the employees believe the president is doing a good job.
C)you are 68% certain that between 37% and 43% of the employees believe the president is doing a good job.
D)you are 99% certain that between 37% and 43% of the employees believe the president is doing a good job.
E)between one and twenty percent of the sample believes the president is doing a good job.

Question 22

Chauncey determined that 50 percent of students at his school voted Republican in the last election,with a sampling error (also known as standard error)of 5 percent.What is the confidence interval for 95 percent confidence level?

A)35 to 45 percent
B)35 to 55 percent
C)40 to 55 percent
D)40 to 60 percent
E)35 to 60 percent

Question 23

Maggie wanted to do a study of women who had participated in extramarital affairs.Since there is no sampling frame listing all such women,she visited a women's group and asked for volunteers among those who had participated in an affair.She then asked each of those women for the names of other possible study participants.She was using which design?

A)quota sampling
B)purposive sampling
C)snowball sampling
D)simple random sampling
E)stratified sampling

Question 24

A disadvantage of stratified sampling is that it

A)denies you the use of probability theory.
B)requires you to have some prior knowledge about the elements in the population before drawing the sample.
C)usually increases the standard error.
D)usually requires samples that are larger in size than those required by simple random sampling.
E)there are no disadvantages of stratified sampling.

Question 25

Holstein set up a matrix representing his population of residence hall students,using gender and class level.He then started interviewing students and continued until he had accomplished the percentages he set out in the beginning.Which sampling design does this example reflect?

A)reliance on available subjects
B)purposive
C)snowball
D)quota
E)systematic

Question 26

Unlisted telephone numbers creates a special problem for accurate

A)sampling frames.
B)confidence intervals.
C)informants.
D)sampling units.
E)identification

Question 27

Professor Hall was planning to do a field study of hitchhikers.Hall wanted to be sure that persons representing all different age,racial,and sex categories were included in the sample of hitchhikers.What kind of sampling scheme would you recommend?

A)deviant cases
B)quota sampling
C)stratified sampling
D)snowball sampling
E)cluster sampling

Question 28

Periodicity is a particular problem for which sampling design?

A)simple random
B)systematic
C)cluster
D)stratified
E)snowball

Question 29

Through a review of records,Rebecca was able to determine that the mean age of the population she was studying was 23.4 years old.This is known as a(n)

A)statistic.
B)inference.
C)confidence level.
D)parameter.
E)confidence interval

Question 30

A study population is

A)the hypothetical aggregation of all the elements in a study.
B)the theoretically specified aggregation of study elements.
C)that aggregation of elements from which the sample is actually selected.
D)that aggregation or set of elements considered for selection in some stage of sampling.
E)that aggregation of elements from which information is collected.

Question 31

Gilbert wanted to study only students who do very well in class because such students would best help him test his theory.He asked 20 professors for the names of high achieving students and he then interviewed them.Which sampling design does this example reflect?

A)reliance on available subjects
B)purposive
C)snowball
D)quota
E)expert

Question 32

What is the unit about which information is collected in a sample,and that provides the basis of analysis?

A)element
B)population
C)study population
D)EPSEM
E)element and population

Question 33

Starting at a random point between 1 and 15,and then choosing every 15 element is what kind of sampling scheme?

A)systematic.
B)stratified.
C)simple random.
D)quota.
E)multistage cluster.

Question 34

Andre surveyed the first ten students walking out of the library on three consecutive evenings,starting at 7PM.Which sampling design does this example reflect?

A)reliance on available subjects
B)purposive
C)snowball
D)quota
E)simple

Question 35

The statistical computations typically used by social scientists assume

A)simple random sampling.
B)systematic sampling.
C)cluster sampling.
D)stratified sampling.
E)any one of these choices is assumed.

Question 36

Paul wants to conduct research on the neutralization habits of adolescent gang members.What would be the best strategy for him to use to select a sample?

A)reliance on available subjects
B)systematic sampling.
C)simple random sampling.
D)snowball sampling.
E)cluster sampling.

Question 37

You want to select a sample of 3,000 people from a population of 300,000.To use the table of random numbers you need to work with a

A)3000 digit number.
B)4-digit number.
C)5-digit number.
D)6-digit number.
E)300,000 digit number.

Question 38

What is the difference between quota sampling and stratified sampling?

A)Stratified sampling is a convenience sampling method.
B)Quota and stratified sampling are the same thing.
C)Stratified sampling is based upon a randomly drawn sample.
D)Stratified sampling specifies proportions to be sampled based on characteristics.
E)Quota sampling is based upon a sampling frame.

Question 39

Disproportionate sampling and weighting are used by the researcher

A)to ensure a sufficient number of cases in each of the sample subpopulations.
B)to give a proportionate representation to each sample element.
C)to provide a representative picture of the total population.
D)to handle situations involving the errors and approximation that are often inherent in complex, multistage designs.
E)All of these choices are reasons as to why researchers use disproportionate sampling and weighting.

Question 40

Jerome is worried about the periodicity in his sampling frame.Jerome should not use

A)simple random sampling.
B)stratified sampling.
C)systematic sampling.
D)disproportionate sampling.
E)probability sampling.

Question 41

In his qualitative research project,Chris is conducting an interview study among a white supremacist group on campus.Chris initially focuses on the group's friendship networks to determine membership and participation.In the course of his research,however,he finds out there are university administrative officials who are also affiliated with this group.Chris then decides to expand his sample to include these university officials and other students that they interact with.This sampling method which evolves and directs the sampling in certain directions is known as

A)convenient sampling.
B)snowball sampling.
C)purposive sampling.
D)theoretical sampling.
E)quota sampling.

Question 42

What is the basic process in probability proportionate to size sampling?

A)give clusters all the same chance of being picked but pick a different number of elements per cluster
B)give bigger clusters a greater chance of being picked but then take the same number of elements per cluster
C)give bigger clusters a greater chance of being picked and then take proportionately fewer elements in the bigger clusters
D)give all clusters an equal chance of being picked and then take the same number of elements per cluster

Question 43

I would like to survey 50 people on their attitudes regarding premarital sex.Knowing that approximately 52% of the population is female and 48% is male,I choose to stand on the corner of High St.and Hague Ave.,and give my short survey to the first 26 women and the first 24 men who pass by the corner.I have engaged in _____________.

A)snowball sampling
B)quota sampling
C)reliance on available subjects or convenient sampling
D)purposive sampling
E)simple random sampling

Question 44

When people selected for a sample are not typical or representative of the larger population from which they have been selected,we have

A)a parameter.
B)a statistic.
C)a negative confidence interval.
D)bias or unrepresentative sample.
E)a bad sample that needs to be re-sampled

Question 45

When might a researcher prefer to use a weighted sampling method??

A)whenever possible: weighted methods are cheaper and easier to perform
B)ensure underrepresented populations are adequate in the sample
C)give preference to some groups rather than others
D)to ensure an adequately large sample
E)weighted sampling methods are always discouraged

Question 46

EPSEM means

A)especially probability sampling error method.
B)equal parameter statistic election means.
C)equal probability of selection method.
D)error parameter sample ending means.
E)equal probability of sampling error method

Question 47

Sequine sampled states first,then churches,and then church members.Each of these three is known as a(n)

A)error source.
B)sampling unit.
C)sampling interval.
D)sampling ratio.
E)cluster unit

Question 48

Which of the following is not a cited issue resulting in reduced response rates for telephone surveys?

A) caller ID.
B) answering machines.
C) telemarketing.
D) phone lines tied up by fax or Internet access.
E) random digit dialing.

Question 49

I would like to survey 50 people on their attitudes regarding premarital sex.I choose to stand on the corner of High St.and Hague Ave.,and give my short survey to the first 50 people who pass by the corner.I have engaged in _____________.

A)snowball sampling
B)quota sampling
C)reliance on available subjects or convenient sampling
D)purposive sampling
E)simple random sampling

Question 50

Walker took a systematic sample from the list of members in his car club by selecting every sixth member.The list of members is known as the

A)sampling interval.
B)sampling ratio.
C)sampling frame.
D)sampling error.
E)sampling unit

Question 51

If I would like the results of my research on attitudes regarding premarital sex to be as close to the population's attitudes as possible,I would have the most accurate results with a sample of ____________ people.

A)10
B)1,000
C)10,000
D)100,000
E)1,000,000

Question 52

Sampling error reflects

A)the degree of error to be expected for a given sample design.
B)the mistakes we make in picking our sample.
C)the probability of selecting each element.
D)the degree to which our interval is incorrect in systematic sampling.
E)the probability of error expected for future samples from the same population.

Question 53

To accumulate a sample of 500 telephone numbers,I decide to include every 20ᵗʰ telephone number in the local telephone directory beginning randomly with the letter "N." I have engaged in

A)simple random sampling.
B)snowball sampling.
C)systematic sampling.
D)stratified sampling.
E)quota selection

Question 54

A sample design in which every member of a population has an equal chance of being selected in a random sample is known as a:

A)convenience sample
B)EPSEM sample
C)snowball sample
D)PPS sampling
E)multistage cluster sample

Question 55

A table of random numbers is used for which design?

A)simple random sampling
B)systematic sampling
C)cluster sampling
D)quota sampling
E)stratified sampling

Question 56

In order to determine which participants from my sample will be in the experimental group,and which participants will be in the control group,I decide to flip a coin.I have engaged in __________.

A)random selection
B)random sampling
C)matching
D)quota selection
E)systematic sampling

Question 57

In her research project,Ella wants to study the processes involved in lesbian partners adopting children.She starts off by interviewing lesbian couples who have adopted in the past,and they in turn,give her names of other lesbian couples who have adopted.The process by which Ella gets her sample is called

A)simple random sampling.
B)convenience sampling.
C)snowball sampling.
D)systematic sampling.
E)multistage cluster sampling.

Question 58

Mildred wanted to do a study of recycling club members employing a random sample.There is no master list of recycling club members in the U.S.She has only enough money to study 70 clubs.What would be the best design to use?

A)quota
B)systematic
C)stratified
D)cluster
E)snowball

Question 59

To calculate sampling error,a researcher needs to utilize the parameter of interest,the standard error,and:

A)sample size.
B)population mean.
C)sample mean.
D)sum of parameters
E)maximum parameter value

Question 60

If you are particularly concerned about how well a sample represents a population,pay particular attention to the

A)nonprobability design.
B)cluster design.
C)sampling interval.
D)sampling frame.
E)sampling design

Question 61

If two samples of the same size are drawn from the same population using simple random sampling,it follows that they will have the same statistics.

Question 62

Due to Federal Communications Commission requirements regarding cell phones,what does the AAPOR recommend researchers do in order to contact participants who have not given explicit prior consent?

A) dial telephone numbers manually (rather than with a computer).
B) use "robocalling" computer programs.
C) avoid telephone surveys altogether.
D) rely only on a telephone book.
E) use voice dialing computer programs.

Question 63

Periodicity is a danger involved in the use of stratified sampling.

Question 64

Findings based on a sample can be taken as representing only the aggregation of elements that compose the sampling frame.

Question 65

The general guideline for the cluster design is to minimize the number of clusters selected while increasing the number of elements within each cluster.

Question 66

If a household has more than one telephone listed in a directory,both should be included in the sampling frame.

Question 67

The currently agreed upon best method of conducting telephone based sampling is based upon

A) random digit dialing.
B) telephone books.
C) address based sampling.
D) random digit dialing and address based sampling combined.
E) there is no single agreed upon method at this time.

Question 68

Generally,the more heterogeneous the population,the more beneficial it is to use stratified sampling.

Question 69

The study of deviant cases is an example of a purposive study.

Question 70

In a sample stratified by gender,the sampling error on this variable is reduced to zero.

Question 71

Sampling error is typically reduced by either increasing sample size or by increasing the homogeneity of the elements being sampled.

Question 72

Nonprobability sampling is particularly useful in quantitative studies.

Question 73

Stratification represents a modification to rather than an alternative to simple random sampling and systematic sampling.

Question 74

When selecting a sample for a telephone survey,which method is usually used to select respondents with?

A) telephone books.
B) random digit dialing.
C) records provided by wireless phone companies.
D) opt-in lists.
E) it is illegal to select samples via telephone.

Question 75

Another term for snowball sampling methods is:

A) iceberg sampling.
B) chain referral.
C) open referral.
D) quota sampling.
E) expanding sampling.

Question 76

The standard error tells us how closely the population parameter is clustered around a single sample statistic.

Question 77

Robinson is interested in studying the family dynamics of current gang members.What sampling method should he likely employ if he hopes to complete his research?

A) simple random sampling.
B) systematic sampling.
C) snowball sampling.
D) multistage cluster sampling.
E) quota sampling.

Question 78

We typically sample with replacement.

Question 79

In the case of homogeneity,a single case could represent the entire population.

Question 80

A confidence interval at the 68% confidence level will be larger than one constructed at the 95% confidence level.