Deck 11: Selecting Data Sources

Question 1

Area sampling is a form of convenience sampling.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

Validity and reliability are more important in academic research than in business research.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Which statement BEST describes a criterion for drawing a quota sample?

A) The researcher does not try to control the representative nature of the sample.
B) The researcher must draw all subjects in a population who meet the control dimensions.
C) The researcher tries to manage the representative nature of the sample by limiting the number of control dimensions.
D) If a potential subject meets some but not all of the control dimensions, the researcher should exclude that subject from the study.

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Which statement LEAST accurately describes conditions for systematic sampling?

A) The characteristics of the population frame must be considered when the researcher defines the sample size.
B) This design requires drawing every nth element in the population, starting with a randomly chosen element.
C) The sample size should be determined before the sampling begins.
D) The starting point for drawing the sample will have no influence on the accuracy of the sample.

Question 5

A quota sample is an example of nonprobability sampling.

Question 6

Simple random sampling is the only type of sampling used by business researchers.

Question 7

Evaluation Wizard is a website that will assess research sites for you.

Question 8

A valid sample accurately represents characteristics of the population from which it is drawn.

Question 9

Guidelines from Consumer Report call for posting website corrections on the site.
B. Multiple Choice - For the following items, select the most appropriate choice (a-d).

Question 10

Both primary and secondary data may be used to solve a research problem, but primary data are more important than secondary data.

Question 11

The selection of data sources must be controlled by the research problem.

Question 12

Which statement is MOST nearly accurate about the reliability of data sources, instruments to collect data, and the data itself?

A) A mother is a more reliable data source than a father for information about an infant's daytime sleeping patterns.
B) When two researchers interview an individual at two different times and get essentially the same answers from the interviewee, the interview guide (instrument) has equivalent reliability.
C) When two researchers interview an individual at two different times and get essentially the same answers from the interviewee, the interview guide has stability.
D) When two researchers interview an individual at two different times and get essentially different answers from the interviewee, the interview guide has stability.

Question 13

Which statement is an INCORRECT description of convenience sampling?

A) It is a relatively easy and inexpensive sampling method.
B) Little data of value are collected by this method.
C) Preliminary studies have successfully employed this method.
D) This method is governed by tight restrictions.

Question 14

Which statement is MOST nearly accurate about the validity of data sources, instruments to collect data, and the data itself?

A) Criterion-related validity is a concern only when testing employees for employment.
B) Data gathered from a national sample possess a greater degree of validity than data collected from a local sample.
C) Valid instruments are able to detect true differences among the people or objects being measured.
D) Validity is a concept that applies to data only, not to sources or instruments.

Question 15

Which statement about primary and secondary data is NOT true?

A) Because primary data is gathered at its source, it is more reliable than secondary data.
B) Business researchers often consult secondary data sources before primary data sources.
C) Census data acquired from the Bureau of the Census is an example of secondary data.
D) Most business researchers rely on both primary and secondary data.

Question 16

As you choose data sources for a research project-

A) you will often use secondary data sources before primary sources.
B) you will rarely confront ethical dilemmas.
C) you should use the most convenient data sources.
D) you will get your most valuable data from friendly primary sources.

Question 17

Keeping the scope of analysis in mind improves the efficiency of data collection.

Question 18

Which of the following statements is NOT a valid rule for determining sample size?

A) Sample sizes larger than 30 and less than 500 are appropriate for most research.
B) Sample sizes smaller than 30 and larger than 500 are inappropriate for most research.
C) Sample size should be about 10 times larger than the number of variables measured in a study.
D) With tight controls, experimental research can be successful with samples as small as 10.

Question 19

Practicality is a legitimate consideration when a researcher evaluates potential data sources.

Question 20

A disproportionate stratified random sample may provide better data than a proportionate stratified random sample.

Question 21

To select an adequate sample, the researcher must understand the managerial problem, the research problem, and the purpose of the study.

Question 22

Ethically, you should use the most powerful sampling techniques available to you within your time and monetary constraints.

Question 23

Sample validity depends on three factors: accuracy, precision, and sample size.

Question 24

Which of the following items is NOT a reason for evaluating a website as a source of research data?

A) Some sites give only one side of a multi-sided issue.
B) Sites often omit dates of origination or updating.
C) Most websites are linked to other Internet sites.
D) Many sites omit the author's name and/or contact information.

Question 25

The Evaluation Wizard website includes eight groups of evaluation questions. The three most critical groups are-

A) author, evidence, and links to this page
B) author, objectivity, and date
C) author, accuracy and links from this page
D) publisher, date, and evidence

Question 26

The nature of the Internet makes website evaluation necessary for sites to be used as research data sources.