Deck 12: Determining How to Select the Sample

Question 1

It is impossible to determine the probability when using nonprobability methods because:

A) the selection technique is subjective
B) the population size is known
C) the population size is unknown
D) the selection technique is objective
E) there is no true selection technique

Answer 1

C

Question 2

A master list of all the sample units in the population is known as the:

A) sample list
B) population master list
C) master frame
D) sample frame
E) population frame

Answer 2

D

Question 3

An accounting of the complete population is known as:

A) a population
B) a sample
C) a sample unit
D) a census
E) comprehensive accounting

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Managers, relative to researchers, define the population:

A) the same
B) in very specific terms
C) in less specific terms
D) not at all; researchers do it for them
E) none of the above

Question 5

If we define our population as all households in the city of Chicago, Illinois, and we use the Chicago telephone directory from which to draw our sample units, we would likely have:

A) a survey with sample frame error
B) a representative survey
C) a survey containing error
D) a survey with a poorly defined master list
E) a census

Question 6

A sample unit could be a:

A) household
B) consumer
C) purchasing agent
D) all of the above
E) none of the above

Question 7

An entire group under study, as specified by the objectives of the research project, is known as the:

A) population
B) sample
C) sample unit
D) census
E) study group

Question 8

If you perform a "blind draw" in sampling, what type of simple random sampling method are you using?

A) random digit
B) random numbers
C) random units
D) random device
E) random skip

Question 9

A subset of the population that should represent the entire group, is known as a:

A) population
B) sample unit
C) census
D) sample
E) population set

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT true of nonprobability samples?

A) They are sometimes called "haphazard sampling."
B) They can be prone to subconscious biases.
C) They use human intervention.
D) The chances of any one population member being selected into the sample can be computed.
E) There is no way to determine the probability of a population member being selected into the sample, even if the population size is known.

Question 11

The Literary Digest story in your book shows the need for a good:

A) publisher
B) survey
C) sampling method
D) study group
E) method

Question 12

Reasons for taking a sample instead of a census include:

A) costs
B) inability of research firms to handle huge amounts of data generated by a census on a large population
C) There is no good reason; a census is preferred over a sample.
D) A and B
E) B and C

Question 13

The population for a market research project in Iowa to determine the cleaning service needs in companies would be defined as:

A) all the current clients in Iowa
B) all the potential clients in Iowa
C) all the companies in Iowa not interested in cleaning service
D) individuals responsible for cleaning service in companies located in Iowa
E) all companies in Iowa

Question 14

Calculation of the "skip interval" is important in which sampling plan?

A) simple random sample
B) systematic sample
C) "skip" sample
D) cluster sample
E) interval sample

Question 15

Probability samples are those for which the members of the population:

A) can be found for survey purposes
B) all have a chance of being included in the sample
C) have an unknown chance of being included in the sample
D) whose responses may be predetermined with some known probability
E) are likely to have been sampled before

Question 16

Regarding calculating the probability of including a sample unit in a probability sample, which of the following is most accurate?

A) It can be determined with a high level of accuracy.
B) Practically speaking, it may be impossible to calculate the probability precisely.
C) If it cannot be calculated precisely, then the sample is not to be considered a probability sample.
D) Precise estimates are known and may be found in statistical tables.
E) Only professional statisticians can determine the accuracy.

Question 17

Which of the following sample plans would not be considered a probability sample?

A) simple random sample
B) systematic sample
C) cluster sample
D) judgement sample
E) stratified sample

Question 18

Using a table of random numbers to draw a simple random sample requires that every member of the ________ must be uniquely identified (i.e., numbered).

A) population
B) sample
C) numbers
D) tables
E) sample unit

Question 19

The target population for the U.S Census is:

A) all households in the U.S.
B) as many people as can be convinced to fill out the survey
C) a certain percentage of the population
D) an equal number of people from each region of the U.S.
E) an equal percentage of people from each region of the U.S.

Question 20

Sampling error is caused by two factors; one of them is:

A) the size of the population
B) the method of the sample unit definition
C) the method of sample selection
D) the method of population selection
E) the education of the researcher

Question 21

When a proportionate stratified sampling plan is used, the weighted mean formula:

A) should be used to ensure statistical efficiency
B) should be calculated using the weights represented by the proportions
C) should not be used
D) should be used if the sample size is greater than 100
E) should be used only if time constraints permit

Question 22

In stratified sampling, we should always ensure that the sample drawn for each stratum is:

A) equal
B) proportionate to the stratum's proportion of the total population
C) of the appropriate size to ensure statistical efficiency
D) proportionate to the stratum's proportion of the total census
E) proportionate to the stratum's proportion of the total sample

Question 23

One of the advantages of systematic sampling is that:

A) it is more representative in the final analysis
B) the listing of the population may contain hidden periodicities
C) the listing of the population can have sample frame error
D) it has "economic efficiency," it is less time consuming and easier to select
E) it has very little problem with sample frame error

Question 24

Which technique allows you to achieve the benefits of random digit dialing by adding some randomly determined number to the telephone number drawn from the telephone directory?

A) plus-one dialing
B) plus random number dialing
C) random "1" digit dialing
D) minus one dialing
E) additive dialing

Question 25

In practice, simple random sampling should be strongly considered:

A) if the population is small and can be numbered easily
B) in telephone surveys where random digit dialing programs may be used to generate numbers
C) when population units are stored in an electronic file allowing computer programs to randomly select the sample
D) All of the above are situations that allow for the practical application of simple random sampling.
E) Simple random samples are not practical in the real world.

Question 26

Simple random sampling is an appealing method because:

A) it meets the requirements to obtain a probability sample
B) it can be used to derive unbiased estimates of population characteristics
C) it guarantees every population member has an equal chance of being selected
D) it results in a valid representation of the population
E) all of the above

Question 27

A sampling method that separates the population into different subgroups and then samples one or some of these subgroups is:

A) cluster sampling
B) simple sampling
C) stratified sampling
D) systematic sampling
E) grouped sampling

Question 28

A sampling company that has worldwide capabilities and many different sampling options, such as Internet samples, business-to-business samples, and so on, that was highlighted in Chapter 12 of the textbook is:

A) Samples-R-Us
B) Survey Sampling
C) World Wide Survey Samples, Inc.
D) Sample Surveys
E) Sampling Options

Question 29

Which of the following should be most helpful in dividing the sample into different strata?

A) a basis that will result in like responses across strata
B) a basis that will result in different responses across strata
C) a basis that is easy to identify
D) a basis that uses some surrogate indicator of identification such as SIC/NAICS codes
E) a basis that is the least expensive

Question 30

A sampling method that separates the population into different subgroups, and then samples all of these subgroups, is the definition for:

A) stratified sampling
B) area sampling
C) cluster sampling
D) simple sampling
E) comprehensive sampling

Question 31

Sampling a geographical area using area sampling is:

A) a form of systematic, geographic sampling
B) a form of simple random sampling
C) a form of nonprobability sampling
D) a form of cluster sampling
E) a form of geosynchronous sampling

Question 32

Which of the following is the best definition of cluster sampling?

A) The population is divided into subgroups and a simple random sample is taken from each subgroup.
B) The population is divided into subgroups; subgroups are combined into clusters, and subsets of clusters are sampled.
C) The population is divided into subgroups and a single/or several subgroup(s) is/are then selected from which either a census or a sample is drawn.
D) The population is divided into subgroups and a single/or several subgroup(s) is/are then selected from which a sample is drawn.
E) The population is divided into subgroups and a systematic sample is taken from each subgroup.

Question 33

One of the reasons systematic sampling is faster than simple random sampling is that the population size:

A) needs to be counted and numbered
B) does not need to be known
C) may be estimated and each element not numbered
D) cannot be known
E) It is not faster than simple random sampling.

Question 34

A survey administered to obtain 40 percent Hispanics and 60 percent Europeans is:

A) referral sampling
B) quota sampling
C) convenience sampling
D) judgment sampling
E) racial sampling

Question 35

If a population were not distributed symmetrically, you would use:

A) simple random sampling
B) systematic sampling
C) cluster sampling
D) stratified sampling
E) unbalanced sampling

Question 36

Which of the following may be used to overcome the problems of unlisted and new telephone numbers in a telephone directory?

A) systematic sampling
B) random digit dialing
C) CATI systems
D) a different format
E) an online phone directory

Question 37

If we were to ask college students, "To what extent do you value a college degree?" which type of sample plan would be most appropriate?

A) any probability sampling plan would be useful
B) a stratified sample because we would expect the answers to vary by strata: freshmen, sophomore, junior, and senior
C) a cluster sample because we would expect the answers to vary by cluster: freshmen, sophomore, junior, and senior
D) an area sample because we would expect the answers to vary by area: freshmen, sophomore, junior, and senior
E) an area sample because we would expect the answers to vary by area: freshmen, sophomore, junior, and senior, with seniors more heavily sampled

Question 38

One of the nonprobability methods used for sampling is:

A) cluster sampling
B) systematic sampling
C) convenience sampling
D) stratified sampling
E) simple random sample

Question 39

The purpose of the weighted mean in stratified sampling is:

A) to provide an overall sample mean that represents all the strata
B) to provide more weight to those strata whose means are the lowest
C) to provide more weight to those strata whose means are the highest
D) to provide an overall sample mean that represents the majority of the strata
E) to provide more weight to those strata whose means are equal

Question 40

Simple random sampling is not a wise choice when you have:

A) a large population
B) a small population
C) a sample frame in electronic format
D) a large population that is not in electronic format
E) a small population that is not in electronic format

Question 41

Which method of substitution is best illustrated in the following example? Typical response rate for mail surveys is 20 percent and the desired final sample should be 200. Therefore, the initial sample size should be 1000.

A) drop-down substitution
B) drop-up substitution
C) oversampling
D) resampling
E) logical substitution

Question 42

Probability samples are those for which members of the population have a known chance of completing and actually turning in a survey. It has nothing to do with probability of being selected into the sample.

Question 43

Snowball sampling is another name for:

A) referral sampling
B) quota sampling
C) convenience sampling
D) purposive sampling
E) simple random sample

Question 44

When assessing sample frame error, which two factors are to be considered?

A) the cost of the frame versus the accuracy of the frame
B) are people in the frame different from the population, and are people in the population not on the frame's list
C) the coincidence rate and the bi-incidence rate
D) the cost versus the timeliness of the frame
E) the cost versus the manager's preferences

Question 45

Incidence rate refers to:

A) the percent of people on a list who qualify as members of the population
B) the percent of people who qualify as members of the sample frame error
C) the percent of people not on a list who qualify as members of the sample frame error
D) the percent of people who have been previously sampled
E) the number of mistakes made in sampling

Question 46

Which of the following best illustrates what is meant by validating the sample?

A) buying samples only from a well-known and respected sampling firm
B) using samples that have, in the past, provided reliable and valid results
C) comparing the sample's profile with a known profile such as the census
D) confirming the manager's approval
E) There is no way to "validate" a sample. This is why probability sampling methods are so important.

Question 47

You should obtain a listing of the population after:

A) defining the relevant population
B) accessing the population
C) designing the sample plan
D) drawing the sample
E) determining the method

Question 48

One of the reasons for taking a sample is that the typical researcher cannot analyze the huge amounts of data generated by a census.

Question 49

A sample frame is a master list of all the sample units in the population.

Question 50

If a random start is used in terms of visitors to a Web site, and then a skip interval is used to skip to the next visitor to ask to participate in a survey, this is an example of:

A) random online intercept sampling using simple random sampling
B) online panel sampling
C) statistical efficiency in online sampling
D) random online intercept sampling using systematic sampling
E) subjective sampling

Question 51

Marketing researchers make use of samples because obtaining information from every single person in a market is impractical.

Question 52

The sample unit refers to the basic level of investigation; this could be a person, household, or supermarket.

Question 53

Nonprobability samples are those for which members of the population do not have a known chance of completing and turning in a survey. It has nothing to do with the probability of being selected into the sample.

Question 54

A census is defined as a subset of the population that somehow represents that entire group.

Question 55

An "educated guess" as to who should represent the population is required for:

A) convenience samples
B) purposive samples
C) quota samples
D) referral samples
E) hypothetical samples

Question 56

A population is defined as the entire group under study as specified by the objectives of the research project.

Question 57

Which of the following is NOT a method of substitution?

A) drop-down substitution
B) drop-up substitution
C) oversampling
D) resampling
E) Substitution is not used in marketing research.

Question 58

When Web site visitors are selected at random and asked to participate in a survey, this is an example of:

A) random online intercept sampling using simple random sampling
B) nonrandom intercept sampling
C) online panel sampling
D) random online intercept sampling using systematic sampling
E) simple random sample

Question 59

Sampling error is defined as the difference between results obtained from a poll versus a sample survey.

Question 60

The first step in developing a sampling plan is to:

A) obtain a listing of the population
B) define the relevant population
C) design the method
D) access the population
E) ask the manager how many people the sample should include

Question 61

In stratified sampling, the population is separated into different subgroups, and then samples are taken from all of the subgroups.

Question 62

If a researcher examined the trading area for a shopping mall and felt it was a good match with the desired population, the subsequent mall-intercept sample could be called a purposive sample.

Question 63

Andy was a senior in college, majoring in marketing. He received a call to participate in a survey on behalf of a company that was targeting graduating seniors. At the end of the survey, Andy was asked for the name of a friend who was also a senior in marketing. This is an example of a "referral" sample.

Question 64

Systematic sampling is one of the most prevalent types of sampling techniques used in place of simple random sampling and its use has been increasing.

Question 65

Stratified samples are most appropriate when the population is known to be "skewed."

Question 66

If the strata sample sizes are faithful to their relative sizes in the population, you have what is called a proportionate stratified sample design.

Question 67

Quota samples refer to samples obtained by bid.

Question 68

In area sampling, the two-step approach is more costly than the one-step approach because more areas and time are involved.

Question 69

A convenience sample may also be called an "exemplar sample."

Question 70

One of the differences between systematic sampling and simple random sampling is that the first one works its way through the entire population from beginning to end. The second one guarantees that the complete population will be covered, but without a systematic pattern.

Question 71

The blind draw method, or using a table of random numbers, is most appropriate for quota samples.

Question 72

In area sampling, the one-step approach is applied if the researcher believes that the various geographic areas (or clusters)are sufficiently identical.

Question 73

Mall-intercept companies often use convenience sampling to recruit respondents.

Question 74

Random digit dialing is an example in which simple random sampling is employed quite successfully.

Question 75

Stratified samples may use weighted means so that estimates of the overall sample may be made, as opposed to estimates from each stratum.

Question 76

Purposive samples require a judgment as to who should be in the sample.

Question 77

With simple random sampling, the probability of being selected into the sample is found by dividing the population size by the sample size.

Question 78

In stratified sampling, subgroups are referred to as clusters.

Question 79

Plus-one dialing procedure is a popular variation of random digit dialing that increases the number of calls to additional sample members, hence "plus," who may participate in the survey.

Question 80

The skip interval used in systematic sampling is computed by dividing the population list size by the sample size.