A researcher finds that the mean number of arrests for juveniles in his sample is .39 whereas the mean number of arrests in the population is .15 The difference between the two means can be attributed to ______.
A) non-normal error
B) luck
C) a lack of planning
D) sampling error

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The difference between the sample mean and the population mean can be attributed to sampling error, which is a natural result of selecting a sample from a population. It is likely that the researcher's sample was not a perfect representation of the population, leading to the difference in mean number of arrests. Non-normal error, luck, and a lack of planning are less likely explanations for the difference.

A Researcher Finds That the Mean Number of Arrests for Juveniles