Chapter 6: Sampling: Who, What, and How Many?

Test Bank

Multiple Choice

1. The interval selected for systematic sampling is called the ______ interval.

a. systematic

b. population

c. critical

d. sampling

Learning Objective: 6.3: Identify and explain major probability sampling methods.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Systematic Sampling

Difficulty Level: Easy

2. Snowball or network sampling relies on ______.

a. random sampling

b. identifying every member of a group

c. members of a group introducing the researcher to other members of the group

d. stratified sampling

Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify and explain major nonprobability sampling methods.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Network or Snowball Sampling

Difficulty Level: Medium

3. Standard error ______ as sample size decreases.

a. stays the same

b. increases

c. decreases

d. changes unpredictably

Learning Objective: 6.4: List the factors influencing the size of a sample.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: How Big Does My Sample Have to Be?

Difficulty Level: Medium

4. Sampling frames are the ______.

a. master lists from which a sample is selected

b. sample selected for study

c. geographic areas of the samples selected for study

d. population sampled for study

Learning Objective: 6.5: Describe the concept of a sampling frame.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Probability Sampling

Difficulty Level: Easy

5. In ______ sampling, every unit has an equal chance of being selected.

a. convenience

b. judgmental

c. network

d. probability

Learning Objective: 6.1: Compare and contrast probability and nonprobability sampling.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Probability Sampling

Difficulty Level: Medium

6. A study that includes every member of a population is a ______.

a. sample

b. random sample

c. sampling frame

d. census

Learning Objective: 6.4: List the factors influencing the size of a sample.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: How Big Does My Sample Have to Be?

Difficulty Level: Easy

7. Every single unit of a group you want to study makes up a ______.

a. sample

b. sampling frame

c. survey

d. population

Learning Objective: 6.4: List the factors influencing the size of a sample.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Introduction

Difficulty Level: Easy

8. What two things govern the size of your sample if you want to generalize from the sample to a wider population?

a. size of the population and level of error you are prepared to live with

b. homogeneity of the population and size of the population

c. homogeneity of the population and level of error you are prepared to live with

d. the sampling interval and homogeneity of the population

Learning Objective: 6.4: List the factors influencing the size of a sample.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: How Big Does My Sample Have to Be?

Difficulty Level: Hard

9. What are some examples of random sampling?

a. throwing dice, drawing names out of a hat, and convenience sampling

b. throwing dice, drawing names out of a hat, and lotteries

c. convenience sampling, drawing names out of a hat, and lotteries

d. quota sampling, drawing names out of a hat, and lotteries

Learning Objective: 6.3: Identify and explain major probability sampling methods.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Random Sampling

Difficulty Level: Medium

10. Random sampling ensures that a sample will ______.

a. include individuals with unlisted phone numbers

b. be of the correct size

c. have individual units, each with an equal probability of being selected

d. be diverse

Learning Objective: 6.3: Identify and explain major probability sampling methods.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Random Sampling

Difficulty Level: Medium

11. Which of the following sampling methods is a probability sampling method?

a. convenience

b. purposive

c. volunteer

d. stratified random sampling

Learning Objective: 6.3: Identify and explain major probability sampling methods.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Stratified Random Sampling

Difficulty Level: Easy

12. Which of the following sampling methods is a nonprobability sampling method?

a. snowball sampling

b. lotteries

c. random sampling

d. stratified random sampling

Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify and explain major nonprobability sampling methods.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Nonprobability Sampling

Difficulty Level: Easy

13. Stratified random sampling is a way to ensure that ______.

a. individuals important to the researcher are selected into a sample

b. research participants have a chance to nominate other individuals to join the study

c. small but important subgroups of a population are captured in a sample

d. research participants have an opportunity to shape the research project

Learning Objective: 6.3: Identify and explain major probability sampling methods.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Stratified Random Sampling

Difficulty Level: Medium

14. What are sampling units?

a. individual researchers who do the sampling

b individual units selected for study

c. geographic units from which individuals are selected

d. lists from which individual research participants are selected

Learning Objective: 6.5: Describe the concept of a sampling frame.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Probability Sampling

Difficulty Level: Easy

15. Snowball sampling occurs when ______.

a. researchers want to increase their sample size

b. individuals in a sample identify other individuals suitable for the sample

c. researchers repeat the study again and again

d. individuals in a sample get invited back into further research projects

Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify and explain major nonprobability sampling methods.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Network or Snowball Sampling

Difficulty Level: Medium

16. Convenience sampling is sampling based on convenience to ______.

a. the research participants

b. funding agencies

c. the researcher

d. the researcher and the research participants

Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify and explain major nonprobability sampling methods.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Convenience Sampling

Difficulty Level: Easy

17. Sample size depends on all of these EXPECT ______.

a. the nature and purpose of the research

b. the level of confidence needed in the research results

c. the homogeneity of the sampled population

d. style of questions in the survey

Learning Objective: 6.4: List the factors influencing the size of a sample.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: How Big Does My Sample Have to Be?

Difficulty Level: Medium

True/False

1. The interval selected for systematic sampling is called the sampling interval.

Learning Objective: 6.3: Identify and explain major probability sampling methods.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Systematic Sampling

Difficulty Level: Easy

2. Multistage cluster sampling works by sampling progressively smaller sampling frames.

Learning Objective: 6.3: Identify and explain major probability sampling methods.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Multistage Cluster Sampling

Difficulty Level: Medium

3. Standard error decreases as sample size decreases.

Learning Objective: 6.4: List the factors influencing the size of a sample.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: How Big Does My Sample Have to Be?

Difficulty Level: Medium

4. Generally, larger sample sizes reduce sampling error.

Learning Objective: 6.4: List the factors influencing the size of a sample.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: How Big Does My Sample Have to Be?

Difficulty Level: Medium

5. To pilot a survey is to run it a second time after a survey to check for any changes.

Learning Objective: 6.4: List the factors influencing the size of a sample.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: How Big Does My Sample Have to Be?

Difficulty Level: Easy

6. Random digit dialing is a procedure for selecting households with publicly listed telephone numbers.

Learning Objective: 6.6: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of sampling frame.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Telephone Sampling Frames

Difficulty Level: Easy

7. A concern with Internet sampling frames is that there is no comprehensive directory of or standard format for email addresses.

Learning Objective: 6.6: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of sampling frame.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Internet Sampling Frames

Difficulty Level: Easy

8. A concern with Internet sampling frames is that not every email user has an equal chance of being sampled.

Learning Objective: 6.6: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of sampling frame.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Internet Sampling Frames

Difficulty Level: Medium

9. Convenience, judgmental, quota, network, and snowball are all types of nonprobability sampling.

Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify and explain major nonprobability sampling methods.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Nonprobability Sampling

Difficulty Level: Easy

10. Probability samples are based on a sampling judgment by the researcher.

Learning Objective: 6.1: Compare and contrast probability and nonprobability sampling.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Nonprobability sampling

Difficulty Level: Easy

11. Findings from web-based surveys may not be generalizable to the wider population.

Learning Objective: 6.6: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of sampling frame.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Internet Sampling Frames

Difficulty Level: Easy

12. A sample consists of every individual of a type you want to study.

Learning Objective: 6.5: Describe the concept of a sampling frame.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Introduction

Difficulty Level: Easy

13. Sampling frames are the master lists from which a population is selected.

Learning Objective: 6.5: Describe the concept of a sampling frame.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Probability Sampling

Difficulty Level: Easy

14. Snowball sampling strives to obtain representative samples that statistically represent the overall population.

Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify and explain major nonprobability sampling methods.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Network or Snowball Sampling

Difficulty Level: Easy

15. The basic assumption behind probability sampling is that the sample will reflect the broader population from which it is drawn.

Learning Objective: 6.1: Compare and contrast probability and nonprobability sampling.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Probability Sampling

Difficulty Level: Medium

16. Snowball sampling attempts to replicate in a sample the features that the researcher thinks are important in the population.

Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify and explain major nonprobability sampling methods.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Network or Snowball Sampling

Difficulty Level: Easy

17. Stratified random sampling means sampling every nth person on a list.

Learning Objective: 6.3: Identify and explain major probability sampling methods.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Stratified Random Sampling

Difficulty Level: Easy

18. Quota sampling is one type of purposive sampling.

Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify and explain major nonprobability sampling methods.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Quota Sampling

Difficulty Level: Easy

19. Convenience sampling is named that due to the convenience for the researcher.

Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify and explain major nonprobability sampling methods.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Convenience Sampling

Difficulty Level: Easy

20. An advantage of a volunteer sample is they’re more likely to assist with an issue or engage in activism.

Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify and explain major nonprobability sampling methods.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Volunteer Sampling

Difficulty Level: Medium

21. In random sampling, the researcher is not the agent of selection, it’s all “luck of the draw.”

Learning Objective: 6.3: Identify and explain major probability sampling methods.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Random Sampling

Difficulty Level: Easy

22. A random number generator would likely be used in volunteer sampling.

Learning Objective: 6.3: Identify and explain major probability sampling methods.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Random Sampling

Difficulty Level: Easy

23. Ethical considerations might influence your sampling style.

Learning Objective: 6.1: Compare and contrast probability and nonprobability sampling.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: How Big Does My Sample Have to Be?

Difficulty Level: Medium

24. Ethical considerations might influence the number of people in your sample.

Learning Objective: 6.4: List the factors influencing the size of a sample.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: How Big Does My Sample Have to Be?

Difficulty Level: Medium

25. One issue with postal sampling frames is its slow turnaround.

Learning Objective: 6.6: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of sampling frame.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Postal Sampling Frames

Difficulty Level: Easy

26. One issue with postal sampling frames is the high response rates.

Learning Objective: 6.6: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of sampling frame.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Postal Sampling Frames

Difficulty Level: Easy

27. One challenge with traditional telephone sampling frames is many households no longer have a landline.

Learning Objective: 6.6: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of sampling frame.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Telephone Sampling Frames

Difficulty Level: Easy

28. The biggest challenge of Internet sampling is the difficulty in developing an Internet sampling frame.

Learning Objective: 6.6: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of sampling frame.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Internet Sampling Frames

Difficulty Level: Easy

29. Convenience sampling is useful for pretesting a study.

Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify and explain major nonprobability sampling methods.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Convenience Sampling

Difficulty Level: Easy

30. One drawback of snowball sampling is friends may recommend friends for the study, and their opinions might be very similar.

Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify and explain major nonprobability sampling methods.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Network or Snowball Sampling

Difficulty Level: Medium

31. Nonprobability samples are based on a judgment by the researcher.

Learning Objective: 6.1: Compare and contrast probability and nonprobability sampling.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Introduction

Difficulty Level: Easy

32. Probability samples are based on a judgment by the researcher.

Learning Objective: 6.1: Compare and contrast probability and nonprobability sampling.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Introduction

Difficulty Level: Easy

33. Postal sampling frames are particularly useful for in-person surveys.

Learning Objective: 6.6: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of sampling frame.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Postal Sampling Frames

Difficulty Level: Easy

Essay/Short Answer

1. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of sampling from a list of postal addresses and a list of email addresses.

Learning Objective: 6.6: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of sampling frame.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Some Issues with Sampling Frames

Difficulty Level: Medium

2. Explain the differences among a population, a census, and a sample.

Learning Objective: 6.4: List the factors influencing the size of a sample.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Introduction

Difficulty Level: Medium

3. Explain the difference between nonprobability and probability sampling and why the difference is important.

Learning Objective: 6.1: Compare and contrast probability and nonprobability sampling.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Introduction

Difficulty Level: Medium

4. Explain the difference between random sampling and stratified random sampling.

Learning Objective: 6.3: Identify and explain major probability sampling methods.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Probability Sampling

Difficulty Level: Medium

5. Explain the basic idea of a sampling frame, with examples of how you might develop one for a research topic of interest to you.

Learning Objective: 6.5: Describe the concept of a sampling frame.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Probability Sampling

Difficulty Level: Medium

6. Explain the basic concept of random sampling, with examples of how you might do random sampling for a research project that interests you.

Learning Objective: 6.3: Identify and explain major probability sampling methods.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Random Sampling

Difficulty Level: Hard

7. Identify and discuss the thinking that should go into deciding on a sample size that will provide credible research results.

Learning Objective: 6.4: List the factors influencing the size of a sample.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: How Big Does My Sample Have to Be?

Difficulty Level: Hard

8. Explain, with examples, what is meant by the term stratified random sampling.

Learning Objective: 6.3: Identify and explain major probability sampling methods.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Stratified Random Sampling

Difficulty Level: Medium

9. Explain how you might accurately capture public opinion in a public-opinion survey. What type of sampling would be best for this?

Learning Objective: 6.4: List the factors influencing the size of a sample.

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: Probability Sampling

Difficulty Level: Hard

10. “A survey of 1,000 people will provide more insight on human communication than interviews with 10 people.” Support or refute that statement.

Learning Objective: 6.4: List the factors influencing the size of a sample.

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: Introduction

Difficulty Level: Hard