Exam 6: The Beast of Bias

Sampling error concerns natural variation between samples,and is always present.

A researcher is asked to contact 125 members of academic staff in a university at random using the university telephone directory.This is achieved by opening the pages at random and selecting the first 125 names on the page.This is an example of?

Which of the following is true of voluntary response samples?

Sampling error suggests an error has been created by the data inputter?

Each of the 20 English Premier League teams have a match day squad of 18 players.A sample of 40 players is to be chosen.Each team is asked to put the 18 players' names into a bag and randomly draw out two names.The two names from each team are then combined to make up the sample.Does this method result in a simple random sample of the 360 footballers?

Data obtained from a sampled group of willing participants are always more accurate than data obtained from existing census information,regardless of the construction of the study?

Data were collected in 15 villages on the percentage of women housewives in 2008 and again in 2012.The study was concerned whether this percentage had either increased or decreased.What kind of design was this?

Another researcher is planning a different survey of families,this time,all from Northumberland.Using census lists and details of the major towns in Northumberland,the sampling procedure is to obtain a random sample of families from each of the major towns and cities in the county.This type of study will give comparative information which a simple random study cannot?

A research administrator accidently records data obtained from the above survey incorrectly.This is an example of?

Sampling error can only be eliminated when conducting a questionnaire of students and every question is a closed question.

Use of a large number of subjects to control for small-sample variability is of paramount importance when designing a study.

A double-blind design is important in an experiment because there is a natural tendency for subjects in an experiment to want to please the researcher.

Careful analysis of a sample will indicate whether or not it was randomly selected.

In a survey about autism in children,a participant doesn't understand one of the questions and,instead of seeking clarity,answers at random.This is an example of?

Which of the following is not an example of a probability sample?

You are asked to survey undergraduate students in the education department of your institution.You decide select a simple random sample.You get permission to use 200 participants.Which of the following would be the best approach to select your sample?

In the advice column of a national student magazine,final-year undergraduate readers are asked: 'If you could do it again,would you still go to university?' Of the more than 1000 responses,55% said no.What does this show?

Sampling techniques which use probability techniques are successful ways to eliminate participant bias.

There is no such thing as a 'bad sample'.

In studying the national concept of the word 'character' in relation to morals and virtues,a researcher picks a simple random sample of 100 local flats and visits them to interview the occupants.After the first follow-up visit,the researcher has not been able to get in touch with the occupants in 19 of the properties.The researcher then chooses a second sample of 100 flats in a different area and continues until 100 responses have been received.What assumption affects any results which can be drawn from this study?