Deck 10: Sampling: Sample Design and Sample Size

Question 1

In a proportional stratified sample, the sample size for each stratum is allocated according to analytical considerations.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

Population is a subset of a sample.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

A census is always more accurate than a sample study.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

One potential source of sample selection error is the discrepancy between the definition of the population and the sampling frame.

Question 5

In purposive sampling, additional respondents are obtained from initial respondent referrals.

Question 6

Conducting a census of a large population introduces a greater likelihood of random sampling errors.

Question 7

A mechanism for defining which elements from a target population are available for selection is called sampling frame.

Question 8

Non-sampling errors are errors resulting from aspects of the research that cannot be controlled.

Question 9

The first stage of selecting a sample is to decide whether to use a probability or nonprobability sampling method.

Question 10

In cluster sampling, the cluster should be homogeneous, to ensure consistency in characteristics and attitudes.

Question 11

In stratified sampling, the stratification variables are usually metric (continuous) in nature.

Question 12

Random sampling errors and systematic errors related to the sampling process can combine to produce a sample that is not representative of the population of interest.

Question 13

Sampling involves using data from the whole target population to draw conclusions about certain population elements.

Question 14

Cluster sampling is frequently used when lists of the sample population are not available.

Question 15

A complete group of entities that share some common set of characteristics is called a sample.

Question 16

When conducting telephone surveys, randomly selecting contacts (for example, from the White Pages) helps to eliminate sampling frame errors.

Question 17

In a cluster sample, the primary sampling unit is the individual element in the population.

Question 18

As sample size increases, systematic sampling error decreases.

Question 19

The accuracy of probability samples depends on the accuracy of the sampling frame.

Question 20

Convenience sampling is also called accidental sampling.

Question 21

Reduced sample sizes and costs are key advantages of snowball sampling.

Question 22

Which of the following errors is likely to cause an imbalance in the representativeness of the sample?

A) Nonresponse error
B) Sampling frame error
C) Random sampling error
D) Systematic error

Question 23

In convenience sampling, researchers select samples that satisfy their specific purposes, even if they are not fully representative.

Question 24

Small sample sizes increase the risk of systematic error.

Question 25

Priming respondents to respond in a particular manner can introduce systematic error into a research study.

Question 26

If Virgin Australia randomly selects a set of 10 flights on a given day, then randomly selects a groups of 10 passengers on each of these flights to participate in an in-flight survey, then the passengers are a:

A) primary sampling unit.
B) tertiary sampling unit.
C) systematic sampling unit.
D) secondary sampling unit.

Question 27

When limited financial resources are available, researchers can save money by using a non-probability sampling design.

Question 28

Which of the following statements is true?

A) Systematic errors cannot be controlled by the researcher, but can be estimated through statistical testing.
B) A problem may arise with cluster sampling if the characteristics and attitudes of the elements within the cluster are heterogeneous.
C) If the elements of the population are quite similar, only a small sample is needed to accurately portray the characteristic of interest.
D) A census is always more accurate than a sample study.

Question 29

Simple random sampling requires complex computer programs to conduct the sample selection.

Question 30

An investigation of all the individual elements that make up a population is called:

A) sample
B) census
C) strata
D) sampling frame

Question 31

All inferential statistics assume that the true population is finite in size.

Question 32

Sample size affects both sampling and non-sampling errors.

Question 33

Sally, the manager of a small business with 30 staff members, would like to know how satisfied her employees are with their current working conditions. What would be the most appropriate approach to determine this?

A) Select any 10 staff members who are present on that day to complete a questionnaire.
B) Circulate a questionnaire to all of the business's staff members.
C) Have the first staff member who completes a questionnaire refer another staff member to complete the same questionnaire.
D) Systematically select 10 staff members from the list of 30 to complete a questionnaire.

Question 34

Periodicity is a common problem with using a systematic sampling method.

Question 35

The major advantage of panel sample is ability to control the sample.

Question 36

Quota sampling is appropriate when the researcher knows that a certain demographic group is more likely to refuse to cooperate with a survey.

Question 37

A sampling frame is:

A) a subset of a larger population.
B) a list of elements from which a sample may be drawn.
C) the number of sampling units accidentally omitted from the sample list.
D) any complete group of entities that share some common set of characteristics.

Question 38

Population size has the largest effect on sample size.

Question 39

Asking the wrong questions can create sampling frame errors.

Question 40

Sampling from a consumer panel typically yields a low response rate.

Question 41

Which of the following sampling procedures is useful for certain types of forecasting, and ensures that the sample is guaranteed to meet a specific objective?

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

Question 42

Which of the following is not one of the criteria used to determine the sample design?

A) Degree of accuracy
B) Skill of the researcher
C) Geographic scale
D) Time

Question 43

A market researcher schedules a test market in Sydney because he feels that this city is typical of the composition of the target market for a new, nationally distributed product. Which type of sampling procedure is being used?

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

Question 44

Which of the following factors does not have a major effect on sample size?

A) Confidence interval
B) Population size
C) Confidence level
D) Population variance

Question 45

A statistical fluctuation that occurs because of chance variations in the elements selected for a sample is known as a:

A) random sampling error.
B) systematic sampling error.
C) nonresponse error.
D) sampling unit error.

Question 46

Which of the following non-probability sample is extensively used for research with very low cost?

A) Convenience sampling
B) Judgement sampling
C) Respondent-driven sampling
D) Time-location sampling

Question 47

Which of the following sampling techniques is ideal for obtaining a large number of completed questionnaires quickly and economically?

A) Cluster sampling
B) Convenience sampling
C) Stratified sampling
D) Judgment sampling

Question 48

Suppose that a researcher implements a study in which it was planned that simple random sampling from a sampling frame would be used, but a systematic sample from the sampling frame is used instead. What has occurred?

A) A random error
B) A systematic error
C) A sampling frame error
D) A non-systematic error

Question 49

The head of a marketing research department instructs field interviewers to interview owners of DVD players in a shopping centre. They are instructed to each interview 15 Sony owners, 18 Panasonic owners, 10 Toshiba owners and 12 owners of other brands. Which type of sampling procedure does this represent?

A) Systematic sampling
B) Quota sampling
C) Area sampling
D) Stratified sampling

Question 50

If a researcher sets up an interviewing booth from which to intercept shoppers at a shopping centre, which type of sampling procedure is being used?

A) Cluster sampling
B) Random sampling
C) Systematic sampling
D) Convenience sampling

Question 51

A grocery researcher randomly chooses several geographic areas as primary sampling units, and then interviews a sample of grocery store owners within the chosen areas. Which type of sampling procedure does this represent?

A) Judgment sampling
B) Systematic sampling
C) Simple random sampling
D) Cluster sampling

Question 52

A researcher interested in the habits and attitudes of stamp collectors speaks to one stamp collector, and asks him to provide the contact details of other stamp collectors. What type of sampling procedure is the researcher using?

A) Systematic sampling
B) Convenience sampling
C) Snowball sampling
D) Judgment sampling

Question 53

Projecting data beyond the sample is inappropriate in which of the following sampling techniques?

A) Stratified sampling
B) Cluster sampling
C) Quota sampling
D) Systematic sampling

Question 54

Which of the following statements best describes a key advantage of using stratified sampling?

A) There is no need for a list of population.
B) It is easy to analyse data and compute error.
C) It ensures representation of all groups in the sample.
D) It is useful for locating members of rare populations.

Question 55

Which of the following sample is used when list of the sample population is unavailable?

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

Question 56

In systematic sampling, the selection of every nth number on the list is known as the:

A) sampling interval.
B) sampling confidence.
C) sampling frame.
D) sampling unit.

Question 57

All of the following sampling procedures are appropriate in situations where the population list is not available, except:

A) systematic sampling.
B) judgment sampling.
C) quota sampling.
D) snowball sampling.

Question 58

Suppose that, from a sampling frame of 240 customers, a researcher wants to select 40 customers who have purchased at least $10 000 worth of products from his company within the past six months. Using a systematic sampling technique, and after a random start, the researcher should select every ______ name on the list.

A) tenth
B) sixth
C) fourth
D) second

Question 59

When determining sample size, the precision level of the estimate is indicated by the:

A) sampling frame.
B) confidence interval.
C) confidence level.
D) population variance.

Question 60

An approach for verifying measurements by taking the same measure from different outlook is:

A) Triangulation
B) Expert interview
C) Snowball
D) Respondent-driven

Question 61

Which of the following factors is not an advantage of sampling from an established consumer panel?

A) Ability to take a census of the target population
B) High response rates
C) Ability to select panelists based on specific, known characteristics
D) Panels contain a very large number of potential respondents

Question 62

A researcher wants to recruit respondents who are amateur boxing fans. The researcher first speaks to some experts in amateur boxing who give her ideas on venues and occasions where her population of interest may meet. She then goes to these venues to make contact with her target sample face-to-face. This researcher is using:

A) judgement sampling.
B) respondent-driven sampling.
C) time-location sampling.
D) snowball sampling.

Question 63

Which of the following sampling methods is best for reaching 'hidden' or rare populations?

A) Systematic sampling
B) Judgement sampling
C) Respondent-driven sampling
D) Snowball sampling

Question 64

Which of the following probability samples ensures the representation of all groups in a sample?

A) Simple random
B) Systematic
C) Stratified
D) Cluster