Deck 6: Sampling

Question 1

The first step in selecting a sample should be to:

A) define the population
B) decide how to stratify the population
C) compile a list of the population
D) determine how to randomize

Answer 1

define the population

Question 2

Generalizing research findings from a sample to the population is most likely to be justifiable when:

A) a small systematic sample is used
B) cluster sampling is used in a large, heterogeneous population
C) the null hypothesis is confirmed, regardless of the sampling procedures used
D) a large random sample is used

Answer 2

a large random sample is used

Question 3

A research worker plans to evaluate high school students' reactions to a new policy on closed campus stations. He locates himself near the office of the dean, where he interviews every fourth student who visits the dean. He eventually secures data from 100 interviews and publishes his findings as the "Reactions of high school students to a new policy for a closed campus. What may be wrong with this approach?

A) Too small a sample
B) Inadequately defined problem
C) Inadequate techniques of analysis
D) Biased sample

Answer 3

Biased sample

Question 4

A researcher drew a sample by selecting every tenth name in a telephone directory. Which of the following types of sampling did she use?

A) Simple random
B) Convenience
C) Stratified
D) Systematic

Question 5

The most important consideration in selecting a sample is that the sample be:

A) selected from the population by means of a table of random numbers
B) made up of a large number of subjects
C) representative of the population
D) selected from a large number of individuals or elements

Question 6

In random sampling, it is necessarily true that:

A) a representative sample with a normal distribution will result
B) precisely similar samples will be obtained with each replication
C) each sampling unit has an equal probability of being selected
D) the sample will have low variability

Question 7

The entire collection of people, elements, scores, or measurements to which conclusions are applied is:

A) an experimental design
B) an interval estimate
C) a population
D) a sample

Question 8

The validity of generalizations based on a sample depends on the:

A) number of strata in the sample
B) representativeness of the sample
C) size of the population sampled
D) shape of the sampling distribution

Question 9

The sample in a particular study is the:

A) group to which results are generalized
B) group that is selected
C) group on which data are obtained
D) group that agrees to participate

Question 10

The accessible population in a study is the:

A) group from which one selects a sample
B) group to which one wishes to generalize results
C) group of persons selected in a study
D) group that participates in the study

Question 11

In cluster random sampling:

A) individuals are selected randomly
B) individuals are randomly placed in groups
C) existing groups are randomly selected
D) available groups are used

Question 12

The adequacy of cluster random sampling is most affected by the:

A) number of individuals in the population
B) number of individuals in the sample
C) number of individuals in each group
D) number of groups selected

Question 13

The most important feature of a table of random numbers is that:

A) it contains a great many numbers
B) the numbers in the table are arranged in columns
C) there is no pattern to the numbers in the table
D) the numbers in the table have been produced by statisticians

Question 14

Two-stage cluster sampling refers to:

A) selecting groups and then individuals
B) selecting individuals and placing them in groups
C) selecting groups and then subgroups
D) selecting a large number of individuals and then a subgroup

Question 15

Random sampling is least effective when:

A) a convenience sample is used
B) a purposive sample is used
C) the population size is small
D) the sample size is very small

Question 16

A purposive sample is used when:

A) the individuals to be chosen are believed to have the information desired
B) the researcher has a clear purpose for the study
C) the population cannot be specified
D) volunteers are desired

Question 17

A stratified random sample is used when:

A) simple random sampling is not possible
B) the researcher wants to guarantee representativeness on specified variables
C) a simple random sample would be very large
D) the researcher wants to simplify data analysis

Question 18

When a convenience sample is used, the researcher should not:

A) generalize to a specified population
B) describe it thoroughly
C) replicate the study
D) draw any conclusions

Question 19

Recommended sample sizes are usually:

A) determined by mathematical formulas
B) determined by population size
C) based on the nature of the variables studied
D) based on professional experience

Question 20

The term "external validity includes:

A) population generalizability and ecological generalizability
B) population generalizability and instrument validity
C) internal validity and instrument validity
D) internal validity and ecological generalizability

Question 21

Ecological generalizability includes the:

A) characteristics of the sample
B) characteristics of the population
C) characteristics of the environment
D) characteristics of the instruments

Question 22

Which of the following is not true of replication?

A) The study is repeated with the same subjects.
B) The study is repeated with very similar subjects.
C) The study is repeated with the same methodology.
D) The study is repeated under similar conditions.

Question 23

In using a table of random numbers:

A) the number of digits used is determined by the population size
B) the number of digits used is determined by the sample size
C) the number of digits used is determined by which table is used
D) the number of digits used is determined randomly

Question 24

In reading a table of random numbers, the researcher begins:

A) with the top of the first column
B) with the top of any column
C) with the first row
D) with any number

Question 25

The best way to obtain a representative sample is to:

A) use a purposive sample
B) use cluster random sampling -- with five clusters
C) use a stratified random sample -- with a total of 30
D) use a large simple random sample

Question 26

Use of a volunteer sample is generally to be avoided because:

A) volunteers are hard to get
B) they are unlikely to be representative of the intended population
C) they are difficult to stratify
D) replication is difficult

Question 27

Matching

-Purposive sample

A) Especially available subjects
B) Selection of groups
C) Actual population
D) Generalizability
E) Especially qualified subjects

Question 28

Matching

-External validity

A) Especially available subjects
B) Selection of groups
C) Actual population
D) Generalizability
E) Especially qualified subjects

Question 29

Matching

-Cluster random sampling

A) Especially available subjects
B) Selection of groups
C) Actual population
D) Generalizability
E) Especially qualified subjects

Question 30

Matching

-Convenience sample

A) Especially available subjects
B) Selection of groups
C) Actual population
D) Generalizability
E) Especially qualified subjects

Question 31

Matching

-Target population

A) Especially available subjects
B) Selection of groups
C) Actual population
D) Generalizability
E) Especially qualified subjects

Question 32

When a convenience sample is used, the researcher should take care to provide as much information as possible concerning the demographics and other relevant characteristics of the subjects involved.

Question 33

The accessible population is the ideal population to which a researcher would like to generalize the results of her study.

Question 34

Using a table of random numbers guarantees that the sample chosen is representative of the population being studied.

Question 35

The larger the sample, the more likely it is to represent the population from whi