Deck 10: Sampling: Sample Design and Sample Size

Question 1

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

Answer 1

False

Question 2

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

Answer 2

False

Question 3

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

Answer 3

False

Question 4

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

Question 5

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 6

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

Question 7

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

Question 8

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

Question 9

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

Question 10

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

Question 11

A census provides the opportunity to find out which advertising message is most persuasive and to make changes to the promotional campaign before any commitment is made.

Question 12

It is impossible for population elements to be over-represented in a sampling frame.

Question 13

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

Question 14

A census is always more accurate than a sample study.

Question 15

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

Question 16

The purpose of sampling is to estimate some unknown characteristic of the population of interest.

Question 17

As sample size increases, systematic sampling error decreases.

Question 18

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

Question 19

Convenience sampling is also called accidental sampling.

Question 20

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

Question 21

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

Question 22

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

Question 23

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

Question 24

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

Question 25

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 26

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

Question 27

Sample size affects both sampling and non-sampling errors.

Question 28

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

Question 29

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 30

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

Question 31

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 32

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 33

Small sample sizes increase the risk of systematic error.

Question 34

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 35

Geographic proximity of population elements will influence sample design.

Question 36

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

Question 37

When a researcher has made the decision to conduct a sample, the first step in the selection of the sample is to:

A) define the target population.
B) determine the sample size.
C) select the actual sampling units.
D) select a sampling frame.

Question 38

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

Question 39

Population size has the largest effect on sample size.

Question 40

Asking the wrong questions can create sampling frame errors.

Question 41

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 42

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 43

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 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

Which of the following sampling procedures only requires minimal advance knowledge of the population?

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

Question 46

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 47

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 48

Which of the following factors has the greatest effect on sample size?

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

Question 49

Suppose that a researcher puts the name of each person on a sampling frame list on an individual 8cm x 3cm card, shuffles the cards thoroughly, and then selects 20 names from the top of the pile of cards for a telephone interview study. Which type of sampling procedure is being used?

A) Judgment sampling
B) Simple random sampling
C) Stratified sampling
D) Quota sampling

Question 50

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 51

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 52

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 53

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 54

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 55

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 56

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 57

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 58

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 59

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 60

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 61

When subjects are selected for a research study on the basis of the researcher's judgment, it is a type of ______________ sampling procedure.

Question 62

The difference between the results of a sample and the results of a census conducted with identical procedures is called ______ ________ error.

Question 63

Collecting retail sales information every seventh day is likely to result in a distorted sample, due to ___________ bias.

Question 64

A population that is highly diverse is said to be _____________ in nature.

Question 65

Writing the names of students in a class on separate sheets of paper, shuffling them thoroughly in a hat and then drawing out five names is a type of ______ ______ sampling.

Question 66

A unit that is selected in the third stage of sampling is called the ________ ________ unit.

Question 67

As sample size increases, ___ ________ error decreases.

Question 68

Which of the following sampling techniques is ideal for testing questions and questionnaires?

A) Judgement sampling
B) Cluster sampling
C) Simple random sampling
D) Convenience sampling

Question 69

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 70

A procedure that divides the sampling frame into layers (strata) and then randomly samples within each stratum is known as __________ sampling.

Question 71

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 72

When respondents in a research study are asked the wrong questions, the study suffers from ____________ validity.

Question 73

When a research study is incorrectly executed, it suffers from __________ error.

Question 74

When some elements of the target population are not listed (for example, if their addresses are unknown), then ________ _____ errors occur.

Question 75

Conducting a census of a large population introduces a greater likelihood of ____________ errors.

Question 76

The sampling procedure in which a starting point is selected by a random process, and then every nth number on the list is selected, is known as __________ sampling.

Question 77

When initial respondents are selected randomly and additional respondents are obtained from recommendations of names provided by the initial respondents, it is a ________ sampling technique.

Question 78

Samples of a highly __________ population can be smaller than samples of a more _____________ population.

Question 79

A(n) ______ is an investigation of all the individual elements that make up the population.

Question 80

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