Chapter 5

Question 1

Accidental Sampling

Answer 1

A non-probability sample technique in which researchers gather data from individuals whom they “accidentally” encounter or who are convenient; also known as a sample of convenience or haphazard sample

Question 2

Cluster Sampling

Answer 2

A probability sampling technique in which the researcher divides the population into a number of subgroups (i.e., clusters) and then randomly selects clusters within which to randomly sample

Question 3

Confidence Interval

Answer 3

The estimated range of values within which the population parameter is likely to fall.

Question 4

Confidence Level

Answer 4

The probability that the sample statistic is an accurate estimate of the population parameter; also known as alpha level.

Question 5

Margin of error:

Answer 5

A range around the estimate, expressed in percentage terms, that likely contains the population parameter; used by researchers to state their sample statistics as a confidence interval

Question 6

Non-probability sampling

Answer 6

Sampling techniques that are not based on probability theory; sample selection is not random and some cases in the population are more likely than others to be selected for participation.

Question 7

Population (or universe):

Answer 7

In research, the group that a researcher wishes to generalize about.

Question 8

Population parameter

Answer 8

Population characteristics, expressed in numeric terms when the responses of each member (or case) of the population are measured.

Question 9

Probability sampling

Answer 9

Sampling techniques that are based on probability theory; sample selection is random and each case in the population has an equal chance to be selected for participation.

Question 10

Purposive sampling:

Answer 10

A non-probability sampling technique in which researchers use their judgment to select cases that will provide the greatest amount of information; also known as judgmental sampling.

Question 11

Quota sampling

Answer 11

A non-probability sampling technique in which the researcher combines purposive or accidental sampling with stratification.

Question 12

Random sampling

Answer 12

A selection technique in which all cases in a population have an equal opportunity for inclusion in the sample

Question 13

Representative Sample

Answer 13

A sample that accurately reflects the larger population from which it was drawn.

Question 14

Sampling

Answer 14

Choosing a number of cases or available texts from a larger population rather than analyzing the entire population.

Question 15

Sampling distribution

Answer 15

The theoretical distribution of a sample statistic for a given sample size.

Question 16

Sampling error

Answer 16

The difference between the sample statistic and the population parameter.

Question 17

Self-selection

Answer 17

A process in which individuals select themselves for participation in a sample (e.g. radio call-in programs).

Question 18

Simple random sampling

Answer 18

The process by which every case in the population is listed and the sample is selected randomly from this list.

Question 19

Snowball (or network) sampling

Answer 19

A non-probability sampling technique in which the researcher begins by identifying a few cases and, from these, gets referrals for other cases and continues to branch out.

Question 20

Statistic

Answer 20

A numeric estimate of the population parameter.

Question 21

Stratified sampling

Answer 21

A probability sampling technique in which the researcher breaks the population into mutually exclusive subgroups, or strata, and then randomly samples from each group.

Question 22

Systemic sampling

Answer 22

A probability sampling technique in which the researcher calculates a selection interval and uses it to select cases from the sampling frame.

Question 23

Census

Answer 23

All members/units of the population are included in the study

Question 24

Unit of analysis

Answer 24

The primary focus of analysis for your research; what or who will constitute cases for your study (e.g. political parties, individuals, governments, newspaper stories, tweets, etc.)

Question 25

Transferability

Answer 25

The extent to which researchers can export lessons drawn from the study to develop conclusions about another set of cases

Question 26

Portable

Answer 26

said of a study in which the results may be used to draw conclusions about other cases not immediately under investigation

Question 27

Sample size

Answer 27

the number of cases included in the full sample

Question 28

Design weights

Answer 28

mathematical corrections to compensate for the fact that respondents probabilities of being selected were influenced by the design research

Question 29

Proportionate stratified random sampling

Answer 29

a probability sampling technique in which the researcher breaks the population into mutually exclusive subgroups, or strata, and then randomly selects samples from each group to produce a sample that reflects their relative proportion within the population

Question 30

Disproportionate stratified random sampling

Answer 30

a probability sampling technique in which the researcher breaks the population into mutually exclusive subgroups, or strata, and then oversamples a larger proportion of smaller subgroups to ensure that these groups include enough cases to produce meaningful statistics

Question 31

If you conduct a census study, then you include __ of the population in the study.

Answer 31

all members

Question 32

In order to identify the population be studied, you must determine the __, the geographic period, and the time period under consideration.

Answer 32

unit of analysis

Question 33

We do not need to consider __ to determine an appropriate sample size.

Answer 33

the nature of the research question

Question 34

A sampling frame is a list of all the units in the target population

Answer 34

TRUE

Question 35

In sampling, the group we wish to generalize about is known as the __.

Answer 35

population

Question 36

___ refers to how similar a population is with respect to the variables of interest.

Answer 36

Homogeneity

Question 37

Researchers use __ to estimate population parameters.

Answer 37

sample statistics

Question 38

P(A) = r/n is used to calculate the __.

Answer 38

probability of a single event

Question 39

As qualitative approaches often have smaller samples, the selection of cases is unimportant.

Answer 39

False

Question 40

Probabilities can range from __.

Answer 40

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