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Communication Research: Asking Questions, Finding Answers, 5e (Keyton)
Chapter 6 Populations, Samples, and Sample Size
1) A population is:
A) selected from the sample.
B) selected from the sampling frame.
C) determined by identifying the characteristics the researcher wants participants to have.
D) is based on access and availability.
E) C and D.
2) Probability sampling means that selection of participants is:
A) random.
B) probable, but not plausible.
C) probably good enough to generalize the results to the population.
D) based on one characteristic of the population while ignoring another.
E) none of the above.
3) Sampling error is:
A) the number of times a person is contacted before they agree to participate in a research project.
B) the degree to which a sample differs from population characteristics.
C) always present.
D) the number of mistakes a researcher makes in selecting the sample.
E) B and C.
4) Simple random sampling is:
A) Also called systematic sampling.
B) When every person has an equal chance of being selected to participate in the study.
C) A two-stage or multistage process.
D) All of the above.
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Match the following terms and the descriptions of sampling procedures:
A) Simple random sampling
B) Systematic sampling
C) Stratified random sampling
D) Cluster sampling
5) Every person has an equal chance of being selected; individuals are selected one at a time and
independently.
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6) Population is divided according to homogeneous groups; randomly select participants from
each group.
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7) A two-stage sampling process used when the researcher cannot identify a complete listing of the
population.
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8) Divide the population by the desired sample size to establish that every nth person should be
selected; select a random number to establish where in the list to begin selection.
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Match the following terms and the descriptions of sampling procedures:
A) Volunteer sample
B) Convenience sample
C) Quota sampling
D) Snowball sample
E) Purposive sample
9) Using the individuals who offer to participate in a research study.
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10) Researcher seeks a specified number of participants who fit the characteristics of subgroups
important to the research project.
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11) Choosing individuals who are convenient and easily available as research participants.
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12) Finding additional research participants by asking current participants to recommend
individuals with similar characteristics.
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13) Choosing individuals to participate in research because they are considered “typical” of the
critical characteristics important to the research project.
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14) A sampling frame is the available population in which a researcher is interested and from
which research participants are selected.
15) Generalizability is the extent to which conclusions developed from data collected from a
population can be extended to the sample.
16) The smaller the sample, the greater the proportion of participants needed for the sample.
17) Convenience samples are never an appropriate choice for identifying research participants.
18) Sample size is the same as the number of people you ask or select to participate.
19) Explain the relationships among population, sampling frame, and sample.
20) Describe the advantages and weaknesses of using a convenience sample.
21) Explain the principles a researcher should follow in determining sample size.
22) Describe the information a researcher needs to include in a description of the population and
sample to convince others of population validity.