Food inspectors need to estimate the level of contaminants in food products packaged at a certain factory. Initial tests were based on a small sample but now the inspectors double the sample size for a follow-up test. The main purpose of the larger sample is to
A) reduce confounding due to other variables.
B) decrease the variability in the population.
C) reduce non-response bias.
D) decrease the standard deviation of the sampling model.
E) reduce response bias.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Doubling the sample size for a follow-up test primarily aims to decrease the standard deviation of the sampling model. A larger sample size generally leads to a smaller standard deviation in the sampling distribution, which means the estimates of the population parameters (like the mean level of contaminants) are more precise.

Food Inspectors Need to Estimate the Level of Contaminants in Food