Question 1

Drawing a simple random sample depends mainly on having a good sampling frame.

Accepted Answer

A sampling frame is a list or set of units from which a sample can be drawn, and having a good sampling frame is essential for drawing a representative and unbiased sample. Without a good sampling frame, it can be difficult or impossible to draw a simple random sample.

Question 2

The closer we need an estimate to be to the true population,the smaller the sample that will be required,all else equal.

Accepted Answer

The closer we need an estimate to be to the true population value (i.e., the smaller the margin of error we are willing to accept), the larger the sample size required, all else being equal, to reduce the variability and increase the precision of the estimate.

Question 3

Calculation of the sampling interval is important in which sampling plan?
A)Simple random sample
B)Systematic sample
C)"Skip" sample
D)Cluster sample
E)Convenient sample

Accepted Answer

The sampling interval is a key component in a systematic sample. In this sampling plan, the population is divided into equal-sized intervals, and then a starting point is randomly selected within the first interval. From there, every nth item (determined by the sampling interval) is selected until the desired sample size is reached. Therefore, knowing the appropriate sampling interval is crucial in creating an accurate systematic sample.

Question 4

In general,populations that are larger in number are easier to locate.

Accepted Answer

Populations that are larger in number generally have more individuals and may also have a more concentrated distribution, making them easier to locate.

Question 5

Many online panels in use today are essentially large quota samples.

Accepted Answer

Many online panels use quotas to ensure that their participants represent certain demographic or consumer groups, making them essentially large quota samples.

Question 6

Nonprobability sampling is an objective procedure in which the probability of selection for the population units can be determined.

Accepted Answer

Nonprobability sampling is a subjective procedure where the probability of selection for the population units cannot be determined.

Question 7

A researcher cannot pinpoint the actual average family income in a city unless he conducts a census study.

Accepted Answer

A census study involves collecting data from every member of a population, which would allow for an accurate determination of the average family income in a city. Other methods, such as sampling, may not provide an accurate representation of the entire population.

Question 8

A point estimate is an estimate that involves a single value with no associated bounds of error.

Accepted Answer

A point estimate provides a single value as an estimate for a parameter of interest, however, it does not provide any information about the uncertainty or variability of the estimate. Therefore, point estimates are typically accompanied by some measure of the uncertainty or bounds of error, such as a confidence interval or standard error.

Question 9

In simple random sampling,every population unit has an equal chance of being chosen.

Accepted Answer

In simple random sampling, every unit in the population has an equal probability of being chosen, thus ensuring that the sample is representative of the entire population.

Question 10

The goal with cluster sampling is to have clusters that are as homogeneous as possible.

Accepted Answer

The goal with cluster sampling is to have clusters that are as heterogeneous as possible within each cluster, but the clusters themselves should be as similar to each other as possible to ensure the sample is representative of the entire population.

Question 11

A quota sample is a nonprobability sample chosen so that the proportion of sample elements with certain characteristics is about the same as the proportion of the elements with the characteristics of the target population.

Accepted Answer

A quota sample is designed to achieve representativeness by ensuring that the sample's demographic, psychographic, or geographic characteristics match those of the target population. Quota sampling does not involve random selection, so it is not a probability sampling method.

Question 12

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 "snowball" sample.

Accepted Answer

A snowball sample is a non-probability sampling method where existing study subjects recruit future subjects from among their acquaintances. In this case, Andy was asked to provide the name of a friend who is also a senior in marketing, which is an example of a snowball sample.

Question 13

A sample in which each target population element has a known,nonzero chance of being included in the sample is called a probability sample.

Accepted Answer

A probability sample is defined as a sample where each element in the target population has a known, nonzero chance of being included in the sample. This means that every element has an equal opportunity of being selected, and the selection process is based on chance rather than subjective or biased criteria. Probability sampling is considered the gold standard in survey research because it provides an unbiased representation of the target population.

Question 14

A population is a subset of elements from a larger group of objects.

Accepted Answer

A population refers to the entire group of individuals or objects of interest in a particular study, not a subset. A subset of a population used for study is called a sample.

Question 15

With a given precision range,the amount of confidence is indirectly related to the size of the sample.

Accepted Answer

The answer of With a given precision range,the amount of...

Question 16

An advantage of area samples is that the people who live in the same area often share many characteristics.

Accepted Answer

The answer of An advantage of area samples is that...

Question 17

The difference between results obtained from a sample and results that would have been obtained had information been gathered from or about every member of the population is called sampling error.

Accepted Answer

Sampling error refers to the difference between the results obtained from a sample and the results that would have been obtained had information been gathered from or about every member of the population.

Question 18

A snowball sample is a form of cluster sampling in which areas such as census tracts or blocks serve as the primary sampling units.

Accepted Answer

Snowball sampling is a non-probability sampling technique used in research where existing study subjects recruit future subjects from among their acquaintances, not based on clusters like census tracts or blocks.

Question 19

Cluster sampling is limited to situations in which a sampling frame of population units is not readily available.

Accepted Answer

Cluster sampling is not limited to situations where a sampling frame is not readily available. In fact, cluster sampling often involves dividing the population into clusters based on an available sampling frame.

Question 20

In stratified sampling,a sample of population units is randomly selected from each stratum of the population.

Accepted Answer

Stratified sampling involves dividing the population into strata, and then selecting a random sample from each stratum to ensure that each subgroup is represented adequately in the final sample.

Quiz 14: Developing the Sampling Plan