A forensic psychologist conducts a study of fear of crime and crime rates in a small city.His hypothesis is that fear of crime is high in areas with moderate crime rates and low in areas with low and high crime rates.Using a map of housing to create a sampling frame he mails a questionnaire to a random sample of 100 residents in six areas: two with moderate crime rates, two with low crime rates and two with high crime rates.Of the 600 questionnaires 350 are returned (180 in the low crime areas, 100 in the moderate crime areas, and 70 in the high crime areas).Which of the following statements is false?
A)The study uses a simple random sample.
B)The study uses a simple random sample because it uses probability sampling.
C)The study could be said to use a simple random sample if the areas had equal-size populations but even if they did the varying return rates complicate the matter.
D)The study uses a simple random sample especially because fear makes people behave erratically.
E)All of the above, except (d).

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The study does not use a simple random sample because it involves stratification by crime rate areas and does not ensure that every individual in the population has an equal chance of being selected due to the varying return rates and the selection of specific areas. Choice D is incorrect because the presence of fear and its impact on behavior does not justify the use of a simple random sample in this context.

A Forensic Psychologist Conducts a Study of Fear of Crime