Deck 6: Section 1: Sampling

Question 1

The summary description of a given variable in the sample is called a sample statistic.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Cluster sampling is a very efficient tool, but the efficiency means a less accurate sample because with each cluster, there is a chance for sampling error.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Random selection permits the researcher to link findings from a sample to the body of probability theory in order to estimate the accuracy of those findings.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

A sample element is that unit about which information is collected and that provides the basis of analysis.

Question 5

A researcher who uses a stratified sampling technique ____.

A) does not select elements from homogeneous subsets of a population
B) recognizes the extent that subsets that are homogeneous on stratified variables will generally result in homogeneity on other variables as well
C) cannot estimate that a stratified sample is likely to be more representative on a number of variables than a simple random sample
D) does not use probability sampling method

Question 6

Confidence levels allow the researcher to have some idea of how closely their samples reflect the parameter. Which statement about confidence levels is true?

A) If a simple random sample is used, probability theory suggests that researchers can be 95 percent sure the estimates of that sample fall within one standard error of the parameter.
B) If a simple random sample is used, probability theory suggests that researchers can be 68 percent sure that estimates of that sample fall within two standard errors of the parameter.
C) If a simple random sample is used, probability theory suggests that researchers can almost be positive 99+ percent) that estimates of that sample fall within three standard errors of the true value.
D) If a simple random sample is used, probability theory suggests that researchers can be positive that sample mean is equivalent to population mean.

Question 7

The standard error is the measure of sampling error.

Question 8

Which of the following is true concerning sampling error?

A) If many independent random samples are drawn from a population, then the sample statistics from those samples are distributed in a predictable way around the population parameter.
B) Probability theory does not allow us to use a formula to estimate how closely the sample statistics are clustered.
C) The standard error cannot identify how spread out of clustered the sample statistics are around the population parameter.
D) None of these answers are correct.

Question 9

Which of the following is not a reason for using random selection methods in selecting samples?

A) Random selection is a check on conscious or unconscious bias.
B) Random selection gives access to probability theory.
C) Random selection allows for estimates of error.
D) Random selection allows the researcher to selects cases on an intuitive basis

Question 10

When no reasonable sampling frame exists and a probability sample cannot be drawn, at least estimates about the sample accuracy are available through nonprobability samples.

Question 11

When researching a population where it is impossible or impractical to compile a list of the elements, which sampling technique is appropriate to use?

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

Question 12

A list of all elements in a population is referred to as the sampling frame.

Question 13

Which of the following is not appropriate for use as a sampling frame?

A) telephone directories when you wish to sample attitudes toward a new law
B) lists of licensed drivers when you wish to ask juveniles their opinions about drinking prohibitions
C) taxpayer rolls when the researcher is interested in public concerns about school appropriations in their community
D) American Medical Association membership lists to survey doctors about their attitudes concerning HMOs

Question 14

Sampling is often used when it is not possible to collect information from all persons you want to study and when it is not necessary to collect information from all persons.

Question 15

A good way to avoid sampling bias in the assessment of public opinion about a specific criminal justice topic is to employ the use of a radio call-in show.

Question 16

Stratified sampling results in a greater degree of representativeness, but at the same time, increases the probable sampling error.

Question 17

The purpose of sampling is to select a set of elements from a population so that the descriptions of the sample statistics accurately portray the parameters of the population. This is best achieved through the use of ____.

A) a convenience sample
B) random selection
C) the sampling element
D) sampling error

Question 18

Which statement is true concerning the relationship between standard error and sample size?

A) There is a positive relationship.
B) There is an inverse relationship.
C) As sample size decreases, the standard error decreases.
D) As sample size increases, the standard error increases.

Question 19

A basic principle of probability sampling is that a sample will be representative of the population from which it is drawn if ____.

A) all members of the population have an equal chance of being selected for the sample
B) the researcher uses a method of selection based upon convenience
C) every nth person is selected for the sample
D) none of these answers are correct

Question 20

Systematic sample is?

A) Systematic sampling is a poor example of simple random sampling.
B) Systematic sampling is often used as a substitute for stratified sampling.
C) Systematic sampling is frequently used rather than a simple random sample.
D) Systematic sampling is a non-probability sampling.

Question 21

The size of the sample and the standard error are related in which way?

A) The standard error is not related to the size of the sample.
B) When the sample size increases so does the standard error.
C) When the sample size increases the standard error decreases.
D) The standard error moves in the same direction as the sample size.

Question 22

When a researcher uses a multistage cluster sampling technique, they must repeat several sets, including listing and ____.

A) stratifying
B) counting
C) sampling
D) randomizing

Question 23

The use of _______________ sampling helps researchers generalize to a larger population.

Question 24

When considering probability sampling in general, it is usually the preferred method for selecting study elements because probability sampling _____.

A) sanctions intuition on the part of the researcher
B) permits the researcher to estimate the sampling error
C) allows unconscious biases in the selection process
D) allows selection of the best subjects

Question 25

Your criminal justice class requires a study of the success of your state's drug courts. The professor suggests that you first select 10 counties from your state. From those 10 counties, you will select the two largest cities from each. Finally, the drug courts in each of the cities will be monitored to measure success. What type of sampling design did your professor suggest?

A) stratified sampling
B) multistage cluster sampling
C) multistage cluster sampling with stratification
D) judgmental sampling

Question 26

The quasi-list of elements from which participants will be selected is called the ____.

A) parameter
B) sampling frame
C) population
D) sample

Question 27

Under what conditions would it be appropriate to use a snowball sampling technique?

A) when the characteristic of interest to the study is a deviant one and only a small number of people who know one another are required
B) when your questionnaire can be administered in a narrow geographic area
C) when all you need to do is interview persons from a population where the sampling frame is known
D) when the researcher absolutely must have a sample that is representative of the population from which it is drawn

Question 28

If the variable that you are interested in studying is so rare that it is unlikely to be discovered using random sampling, what is the best alternative?

A) accidental sampling
B) quota sampling
C) stratified sampling
D) purposive sampling

Question 29

Multistage cluster sampling with stratification, systematic sampling, simple random sampling and disproportionate stratified sampling are examples of _____.

A) nonprobability sampling
B) probability sampling
C) sampling distributions
D) sampling frames

Question 30

Which of the following illustrates a population in which cluster sampling would be the best choice?

A) law enforcement officers in the United States
B) Uniform Crime Reports
C) convicted violent criminals
D) news paper reports

Question 31

Dr. Jason wanted to find out what the citizens of Savannah think about a proposed law that would require sex offenders to be treated in the community in lieu of prison confinement, and he decided to randomly call people listed in the phone book. What is his sampling frame?

A) the citizens of Savannah
B) the proposed law
C) telephone listings
D) sex offenders in prison

Question 32

In order to study active criminals who have not been arrested for their criminal acts, the researcher would be wise to employ which type of sampling technique?

A) purposive sampling
B) snowball sampling
C) convenience sampling
D) stratified random sampling

Question 33

Quota samples, judgmental samples, snowball samples, and convenience samples are all examples of ____.

A) nonprobability sampling
B) probability sampling
C) sampling distributions
D) sampling frames

Question 34

A researcher using stratified sampling wants to reduce the ____.

A) sampling error
B) standard error
C) number of dependent variables
D) time it takes to draw a sample

Question 35

Which of the following is an example of a multistage cluster sample?

A) the Self Report Survey
B) the National Crime Victimization Survey
C) Uniform Crime Reports
D) court records

Question 36

A Residence Assistant RA) at a local university devises a plan to spot check the dorm for illegal drinking by randomly selecting a starting door for the first check, and then knocking on every fifth door. What technique is the RA using?

A) stratified sampling
B) simple random sampling
C) quota sampling
D) systematic sampling

Question 37

The unit about which information is gathered and forms the basis for analysis is known as a ____.

A) sampling element
B) unit of observation
C) sampling frame
D) sample

Question 38

National Crime Victimization Survey and the British Crime Survey both use ____ to gather data.

A) simple random samples
B) stratified sampling
C) multistage cluster sampling
D) quota sampling

Question 39

Following the model of London, England, Center City, USA decides to install closed circuit television CCTV) cameras in a downtown park in hopes of reducing the public's fear of crime. Which technique would be the best choice to determine if fear has in fact decreased?

A) Send out a questionnaire to all citizens living in Center City, USA.
B) Select, via simple random sampling, 20 citizens to interview.
C) Interview, via convenience sampling, citizens that are in the park.
D) None of these answers are correct.

Question 40

Which statement is accurate?

A) The reason that researchers use probability samples is because they guarantee representativeness of the sample.
B) In general, the more heterogeneous a population, the smaller the sample needed for representativeness.
C) A simple random sample is appropriate when a researcher wants to over-represent a characteristic in the population
D) A sample is representative of the population from which it is drawn if the aggregate characteristics of the sample approximate those of the general population.

Question 41

When researchers can list each element of a population, that list is known as the _______________.

Question 42

Discuss the difference between validity and reliability when making measurements. Give an example of each.
a. Select two probability sampling techniques and explain why each is an example of probability. Give an example of a research project that would be appropriate for each sampling technique.
b. Select two non-probability sampling techniques and explain why each is an example. Give an example of a research project that would be appropriate for each sampling technique.

Question 43

Assume that you are required to design a research project that can measure the amount of underage drinking on your campus. Briefly discuss how that would be done using the following sources of data:
a. Asking Questions
b. Direct Observation
c. Examining Written Records

Question 44

The correspondence between a target population and sampling frames affects the _______________ of the samples.

Question 45

The primary goal of _______________ is homogeneity.

Question 46

If you wanted to study people at different stages of offending, what sorts of samples would you draw? Stated somewhat differently, what are some possible sampling frames for studying crime through the life course? Think about some appropriate study populations and sampling frames for addressing questions such as the following:
a. What is the rate of involvement in crime among high school students?
b. How many property and personal offenses are committed in the year before entering a state prison?
c. Among former offenders, what is the effect of being married on criminal involvement?

Question 47

To ensure that variables that occur rarely in a population will be represented in a sample, the researcher would want to employ an) _______________ sampling technique.

Question 48

In probability theory, the _______________ indicates how closely the sample estimates will be distributed around the population parameter.

Question 49

The _______________ is the range of sample statistics we would obtain if we selected many samples.

Question 50

When a sample closely reflects the population in terms of aggregate characteristics, the sample is said to be _______________ of the population.

Question 51

Estimates of population parameters, standard error, and confidence intervals assume unbiased sampling. The foundation of unbiased sampling is the _______________.

Question 52

The unit about which information is collected and that provides the basis of analysis is called the _______________.