8-1
Chapter 8: Surveys and Sampling – Quiz A Name___________________________
8.3.1 Determine and analyze sampling methods; identify and understand biases.
1. The administration of a large university is interested in learning about the types of
wellness programs that would interest its employees. To do this, they plan to survey a
random sample of employees. Under consideration are several plans for selecting the
sample. Name the sampling strategy for each.
a. There are five categories of employees (administration, faculty, professional staff,
clerical and maintenance). Randomly select ten individuals from each category.
b. Each employee has an ID number. Randomly select 50 numbers.
c. Randomly select a school within the university (e.g., Business School) and survey all
of the individuals (administration, faculty, professional staff, clerical and maintenance)
who work in that school.
d. The HR Department has an alphabetized list of newly hired employees (hired within
the last five years). After starting the process by randomly selecting an employee from
the list, then every 5th name is chosen to be included in the sample.
8.3.1 Determine and analyze sampling methods; identify and understand biases.
2. Suppose the administration decides to do the following. At a Starbucks located on
campus, every tenth person who enters on a Monday morning is selected to be surveyed.
Explain why this may be biased.
8.4.1 Determine and analyze sampling methods; identify and understand biases.
3. Two of the questions asked in the survey of employees are shown below.
• Since exercise is so important to good health, would you be willing to participate
in organized walks during lunch hour?
• Would you attend a “healthy cooking” demonstration?
a. Are these questions valid (appropriately worded)? Explain.
b. Which question is more neutral? Explain.
8.2.1 Determine and analyze sampling methods; identify and understand biases.
4. A consumer research group is interested in how older drivers view hybrid cars.
Specifically, they wish to assess the percentage of drivers in the U.S. 50 years of age or
older who intend to purchase a hybrid in the next two years. They used a list of AARP
(American Association of Retired Persons) members as the sampling frame. Based on a
systematic sample, they estimated the percentage to be 17%.
a. Define the target population.
b. Define the parameter.
c. What is the statistic?
d. How might the results be biased?