Deck 6: Sampling: Theory and Methods

Question 1

Which of the following is a probability sampling method?

A) Convenience sampling
B) Cluster sampling
C) Snowball sampling
D) Quota sampling
E) Judgment sampling

Answer 1

B

Question 2

In optimal allocation sampling, the necessary sample size of each stratum is determined based:

A) on the relative size of the stratum as well as the variability within the stratum.
B) solely on the stratum's size relative to a defined target population.
C) solely on the stratum's relative importance to a study.
D) on the number of homogenous strata identified in a defined target population.
E) on the number of heterogeneous strata identified in a defined target population.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Which of the following is True of probability sample sizes?

A) The more precise the required sample results, the larger the sample size.
B) The smaller the desired error, the smaller the sample size.
C) The shorter the variability in the data being estimated, the larger the sample size needed.
D) The higher the level of confidence desired, the smaller the sample size needed.
E) The population standard deviation is a measure of the dispersion of the population, and its square root is referred to as the population variance.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

The difference between stratified random sampling and cluster sampling is that in cluster sampling:

A) a researcher must be able to secure a complete listing of the potential sampling units that make up a defined target population.
B) a large number of respondents are interviewed in a relatively short time.
C) the representativeness of a sample cannot be measured because sampling error estimates cannot be calculated.
D) the sampling units are divided into mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive subpopulations.
E) a target population is separated into different groups.

Question 5

Sarah, a researcher, does not have the resources or time to use a probability sampling method. However, she wants to make sure that all ethnicities are fairly represented in her sample. In this scenario, Sarah is most likely to use _____.

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

Question 6

Which of the following is True of simple random sampling?

A) It produces unbiased estimates of a target population's characteristics.
B) It eliminates the need to identify all sampling units.
C) It is less costly when compared to systematic random sampling because it can be done quickly.
D) It requires that a defined target population be ordered in some way, usually in the form of a customer list, taxpayer roll, or membership roster.
E) It does not require the sampling units to be given any special code prior to drawing a sample unlike systematic random sampling.

Question 7

Which of the following is True of cluster sampling?

A) Each cluster is assumed to be representative of the homogeneity of a target population.
B) The prospective sampling units are selected for a sample using systematic random sampling.
C) Area sampling is a popular form of cluster sampling.
D) In practice, cluster sampling is difficult to implement.
E) Cluster sampling requires a substantially large budget.

Question 8

The difference between probability sampling and nonprobability sampling is that in nonprobability sampling:

A) each sampling unit in a defined target population has a known probability of being selected for the sample.
B) observed differences in sample findings can be partially attributed to the existence of sampling errors.
C) the results can be generalized to a target population within a specified margin of error.
D) the researcher is able to judge the reliability and validity of data collected by calculating the probability.
E) sampling error is not known.

Question 9

_____ sampling is a probability sampling procedure in which every sampling unit has a known and equal chance of being selected.

A) Judgment
B) Quota
C) Cluster
D) Simple random
E) Convenience

Question 10

The difference between simple random sampling and systematic random sampling is that systematic random sampling:

A) requires a special code to be assigned to the sampling units prior to drawing a sample.
B) requires that a defined target population be ordered in some way.
C) is a nonprobability sampling procedure.
D) is a sampling procedure in which every sampling unit has a known and equal chance of being selected.
E) is based on intuitive judgment or researcher knowledge.

Question 11

Which method of sampling relies on the assumption that rare groups of people tend to form their own unique social circles?

A) Judgment sampling
B) Quota sampling
C) Cluster sampling
D) Snowball sampling
E) Convenience sampling

Question 12

The term "sampling unit" refers to the:

A) target population elements available for selection during a sampling process.
B) identifiable group of elements of interest to a researcher and pertinent to the information problem.
C) complete set of elements identified for investigation.
D) list of all population elements from which a sample is drawn.
E) number of units accidentally left out of a sampling frame.

Question 13

Spectrum Inc., an automobile manufacturer, is interested in measuring the customer satisfaction of car owners. It decides to collect data from new purchasers of Spectrum cars. In this scenario, the new purchasers of Spectrum cars represent a(n) _____.

A) sampling unit
B) estimated sample variance
C) sampling frame
D) estimated sample deviation
E) construct

Question 14

Before polling the students in Scion School of Business, a researcher divides all the current students into groups based on their class standing, such as freshman, sophomores, and so on. Then, she randomly draws a sample of 50 students from each of these groups to create a representative sample of the entire student body in the school. Which of the following sampling methods is the researcher practicing?

A) Simple random sampling
B) Systematic random sampling
C) Stratified random sampling
D) Cluster sampling
E) Snowball sampling

Question 15

In a systematic sampling study, if the sampling frame has 2,000 names and the desired sample size is 50, the skip interval should be:

A) 25.
B) 0.03.
C) 50.
D) 40.
E) 15.

Question 16

A college professor wants to know if the university students in the Unites States will find the new textbook that he has authored to be interesting and useful. He chooses all marketing majors at the school he teaches as his sample. He believes that this group of students will be representative of the university student population in the United States. In this scenario, the professor is most likely using:

A) census sampling.
B) area sampling.
C) judgment sampling.
D) quota sampling.
E) cluster sampling.

Question 17

In the context of the factors that play an important role in determining sample sizes with probability designs, _____ is the acceptable amount of error in a sample estimate.

A) variance
B) validity
C) precision
D) incidence rate
E) reliability

Question 18

If the estimated population standard deviation based on previous studies is 20 percent, the acceptable error is plus or minus 5 percent, and the z-value for a 95 percent level of confidence is 1.96, the needed sample size is approximately:

A) 48.
B) 210.
C) 61.
D) 153.
E) 196.

Question 19

Which of the following is True of convenience sampling?

A) It is a nonprobability sampling method.
B) It is a time-consuming process if there are a large number of respondents.
C) It is commonly used in the later stages of research.
D) It allows researchers to measure the representativeness of a sample.
E) It allows researchers to generalize the data collected to a defined target population.

Question 20

Jamie Nelson works for a telephone company. She is interested in determining the satisfaction of the customers with the service provided by the company (for landline customers only). She decides to collect data from the customers listed in the company's existing customer directory. In this scenario, the customer directory serves as a(n) _____.

A) sampling plan
B) element chart
C) sampling frame
D) quota
E) census

Question 21

For a given level of precision and confidence level, a researcher determines that he needs a sample size of 400. The study found that the proportion of people who smoke is 30 percent. For the same level of precision and confidence, he would need the same sample size if the proportion of those who smoke were to change to:

A) 40 percent.
B) 50 percent.
C) 60 percent.
D) 70 percent.
E) 100 percent.

Question 22

In cluster sampling, each cluster is assumed to be representative of the heterogeneity of a target population.

Question 23

The skip interval in systematic random sampling is computed by multiplying the number of potential sampling units on a list by the desired sample size.

Question 24

If the estimated population proportion is 30 percent based on previous studies, the acceptable error is plus or minus 5 percent, and the z-value for a 95 percent level of confidence is 1.96, the needed sample size is approximately:

A) 323.
B) 187.
C) 36.
D) 212.
E) 554.

Question 25

Customer lists from credit card companies are a common source of sampling frames.

Question 26

In which stage of the sampling plan will random-digit dialing probably be considered?

A) Selecting the data collection method
B) Defining the target population
C) Selecting the appropriate sampling method
D) Creating an operating plan for selecting sampling units
E) Identifying the sampling frame

Question 27

If the estimate of expected population proportion having a desired characteristic based on intuition is 60 percent, the acceptable error is plus or minus 5 percent, and the z-value for a 95 percent level of confidence is 1.96, the needed sample size is approximately:

A) 187.
B) 369.
C) 295.
D) 196.
E) 950.

Question 28

A benefit associated with detecting sampling error is that it can be determined before a sample is drawn and data collection is completed.

Question 29

In the context of systematic sampling method, hidden patterns represent populations that researchers may be interested in studying, but often are hard to reach.

Question 30

Which of the following statements is True of the sample size for nonprobability samples?

A) The sample size formula must be adjusted for confidence level before it can be used for nonprobability samples.
B) The sample size formula must be adjusted for error tolerance before it can be used for nonprobability samples.
C) The sample size formula must be adjusted for population variance before it can be used for nonprobability samples.
D) Determining the sample size for nonprobability samples requires a researcher to make statistical inferences about the True population parameters.
E) Determining the sample size for nonprobability samples is usually a subjective, intuitive judgment made by a researcher.

Question 31

The central limit theorem (CLT) describes the theoretical characteristics of a sample population.

Question 32

The primary difficulty encountered with stratified sampling is determining the basis for stratifying.

Question 33

Sampling errors are related to the accuracy of data, whereas nonsampling errors relate to the representativeness of a sample to a defined target population.

Question 34

Multisource sampling is used when a single source generates a large or low incidence sample.

Question 35

Area sampling is an example of a nonprobability sampling method.

Question 36

Nonsampling errors reduce the overall quality of the data regardless of the data collection method.

Question 37

When executed properly, systematic random sampling creates a sample of objects or prospective respondents that is very similar in quality to a sample drawn using simple random sampling.

Question 38

Compared to sampling, it is less time-consuming and less expensive to conduct a census.

Question 39

A population is an identifiable group of elements of interest to a researcher and pertinent to the information problem.

Question 40

In the context of nonprobability sampling methods, judgment sampling is also known as purposive sampling.

Question 41

Distinguish between sampling error and nonsampling error.

Question 42

List some of the steps a researcher can take once he understands the basics of the central limit theorem.

Question 43

In any sampling plan, the first task of a researcher is to choose a method of data collection.

Question 44

Briefly discuss optimal allocation sampling and multisource sampling.

Question 45

In the context of the factors that play an important role in determining sample sizes with probability designs, the higher the level of confidence desired, the smaller the sample size needed.

Question 46

Snowball sampling prohibits the introduction of bias in a study.

Question 47

List the steps to be followed in developing a sampling plan.

Question 48

Referral sampling involves identifying a set of respondents who can help a researcher identify additional people to include in a study.

Question 49

Since quota sampling is a nonprobability sampling method, the representativeness of the sample can be measured.

Question 50

List the advantages and disadvantages of simple random sampling.