Chapter 4 Stats
____________________ data are generated by the researcher for the problem or situation at hand, while ____________________ data have been collected by someone else for some other purpose.
Primary; secondary
A census can be viewed as a "sample" that includes the entire population.
True
A manufacturer of semiconductors experiments with different designs and records the data. This is an example of using primary data.
True
A recent graduate of mortuary school samples the death rate statistics for counties in her state in hopes of finding a good location to start a mortuary. This is an example of secondary data.
True
A statistic is a characteristic of a sample such as the sample mean or sample standard deviation.
True
Business research studies can be categorized according to the objective involved and may be exploratory, descriptive, causal, or predictive.
True
Exploratory research can be of a qualitative nature.
True
Factor analysis is a set of techniques for studying interrelationships among variables. This is done by reducing a very large set of variables to a smaller set of new variables (factors) that are more basic in meaning but contain most of the information in the original set.
True
In causal research, the objective is to determine if one variable has an effect on another.
True
In evaluating experiments, two kinds of validity must be considered: internal and external.
True
In practice, a sample can be more accurate than a census.
True
In practice, most studies involve relatively large populations for which taking a sample can provide satisfactory results much more quickly and at considerably lower cost than a census.
True
In the simple random sample, each person or element has the same chance of being included in the sample.
True
Predictive research attempts to forecast some situation or value that will occur in the future.
True
Questionnaires should be pretested by personally administering them to a small number of persons who are similar to the eventual sample members.
True
Response error can occur when an individual fails to return a questionnaire.
True
Sampling error is a random, nondirectional error that is inevitable whenever a sample is taken instead of a census.
True
Statistics can be used as a descriptive tool for expressing information relevant to business.
True
Statistics can be used as an inferential device for using sample findings to draw conclusions about a population.
True
The quota sample is an example of nonprobability sampling that is similar to the stratified probability sample, except that members of the various strata are not chosen through the use of a probability sampling technique.
True
There are two key variables in an experiment: the independent variable (or treatment) and the dependent variable (or measurement).
True
17. Which of the following is a correct statement? a. A parameter is a characteristic of the universe. b. A census is a measurement of a sample. c. A statistic describes a variable for the population. d. A census is always a better measurement than is a sample. e. A parameter is a characteristic of the sample.
a. A parameter is a characteristic of the universe.
10. Which of the following must be avoided in designing a questionnaire? a. Dichotomous questions b. Leading questions c. Open-ended questions d. Demographic questions
b. Leading questions
15. A sample is: a. the entire set of elements being observed or measured. b. a selected portion of elements from the universe. c. the measurement/observation of the population. d. that portion of the population that can be theoretically considered. e. a measurement of the universe.
b. a selected portion of elements from the universe.
21. Which type of sampling would primarily be used in exploratory research studies where there is no intention of making statistical inferences from the sample to the population? a. probability sampling b. nonprobability sampling c. simple random sampling d. cluster sampling e. stratified sampling
b. nonprobability sampling
29. When the population is divided into mutually exclusive sets, and then a simple random sample is drawn from each set, this is called: a. simple random sampling. b. stratified sampling. c. cluster sampling. d. systematic sampling. e. quota sampling.
b. stratified sampling.
20. When is a sample a better choice than a census? a. When the population is changing over time. b. When taking the U.S. Census of the population. c. When some sampling error can be tolerated. d. When time is an important factor. e. Each of these is a reason for taking a sample rather than a census.
e. Each of these is a reason for taking a sample rather than a census.
Which of the following represents an advantage of taking a sample? a. Less expense than a census. b. Can be completed in a timely fashion. c. Testing or measuring is a destructive process. d. The size of the population is very large. e. Each of these is an advantage of taking a sample rather than a census.
e. Each of these is an advantage of taking a sample rather than a census.
27. At the annual freshman mixer at your university, each student places a card with his/her name in a large basket. A card is drawn for the evening's door prize. This is an example of: a. a nonprobability sample. b. a probability sample. c. a simple random sample. d. both A and C are correct. e. both B and C are correct.
e. both B and C are correct.
28. In order to obtain a sample of persons owning a telephone, you select every 24th name in the local phone book. This is an example of: a. simple random sampling b. systematic sampling c. stratified sampling d. probability sampling e. both B and D are correct
e. both B and D are correct
A non-sampling error is also referred to as ____________________, because it is a directional error.
bias
Which of the following is a nonprobability sample? a. Simple random sample b. Systematic sample c. Judgment sample d. Stratified sample e. Cluster sample
c. Judgment sample
32. A pharmaceutical company interested in measuring how often physicians prescribe a certain drug has selected a simple random sample from each of two groups: M.D. (medical doctors) and D.O (osteopathic doctors). What is this type of sampling called? a. Simple random sampling b. Cluster sampling c. Stratified sampling d. Purposive sampling e. Quota sampling
c. Stratified sampling
If the population for a study is defined as the student body in a particular high school, and the sample is selected by randomly choosing classrooms at 11:00 AM and administering the survey to all the students in those classes, we are relying on: a. simple random sampling. b. nonprobability sampling. c. cluster sampling. d. stratified sampling. e. convenience sampling.
c. cluster sampling.
2. Which of the following statements describe secondary internal data? a. A manufacturer of semiconductors uses available company sales and inventory valuation records to prepare an inventory turnover ratio for each month. b. A mail order company conducts a telephone survey among recent purchasers. c. A presidential candidate commissions a political survey organization to establish the percent of persons favoring her candidacy. d. A recent graduate of mortuary school samples the death rate statistics for counties in her state in hopes of finding a good location to start a mortuary. e. Consumers Union purchases 25 brands of lawnmowers and tests them for various attributes.
A. A manufacturer of semiconductors uses available company sales and inventory valuation records to prepare an inventory turnover ratio for each month.
4. When a respondent indicates that he is 25 years old when he is actually 35 years old, he is contributing to: a. sampling error. b. response error. c. nonresponse error. d. bias. e. nonsampling error.
B. Response Error
To overcome one of the shortcomings of telephone surveys due to unlisted telephone numbers: a. survey takers purchase mail lists of unlisted telephone number subscribers. b. survey takers employ random digit dialing facilities. c. survey takers contact telephone companies for a list of unlisted telephone numbers. d. survey takers purchase lists of unlisted telephone numbers from magazine subscribers. e. survey takers go door to door and identify the unlisted telephone subscribers.
B. Survey takers employ random digit dialing facilities.
7. When a person receives a mail questionnaire and places it in the wastebasket, they are contributing to: a. sampling error b. response error c. nonresponse error d. nonsystematic error e. nonsampling error
C. No response error
9. Which of the following questionnaire designs allow the respondent to freely formulate his or her own answer and expand on the subject of the question? a. Multiple choice b. Dichotomous c. Open-ended d. All of the above
C. Open ended
5. The difference between a sample mean and the corresponding population mean is called a: a. nonresponse error b. systematic error c. sampling error d. response error e. bias
C. Sampling Error
1. Which of the following statements describe secondary external data? a. A manufacturer of semiconductors experiments with different designs and records the data. b. A mail order company conducts a telephone survey among recent purchasers. c. A presidential candidate commissions a political survey organization to establish the percent of persons favoring her candidacy. d. A recent graduate of mortuary school samples the death rate statistics for counties in her state in hopes of finding a good location to start a mortuary. e. Consumers Union purchases 25 brands of lawnmowers and tests them for various attributes.
D. A recent graduate of mortuary school samples the death rate statistics for counties in her state in hopes of finding a good location to start a mortuary.
3. Which of the following is not an example of primary data? a. Data published by the United States Bureau of Census. b. Data published by Statistics Canada. c. Data published by the New York Stock Exchange. d. Financial data tapes that contain data compiled from the New York Stock Exchange.
D. Financial data tapes that contain data compiled from the New York Stock Exchange.
20. When is a sample a better choice than a census? a. When the population is changing over time. b. When taking the U.S. Census of the population. c. When some sampling error can be tolerated. d. When time is an important factor. e. Each of these is a reason for taking a sample rather than a census.
E. Each of these is a reason for taking a sample rather than a census.
A characteristic of a sample, such as the sample mean or sample standard deviation, is known as a(n): a. population b. census c. parameter d. observation e. statistic
E. Statistic
1. ____________________ helps us become familiar with the problem situation, identify important variables, and use these variables to form hypotheses that can be tested in subsequent research.
Exploratory research
____________________ validity asks whether the results of an experiment can be generalized to other people or settings.
External
A sample consisting of firms or persons who have engaged in a specific behavior or activity are said to be taken from a compiled list.
False
An economics student searches the Survey of Current Business for gross domestic product data as a class report item. This is an example of using primary data.
False
Bias is a type of error that can occur because a sample has been taken rather than a census.
False
Causal research helps us become familiar with the problem situation, identify important variables, and use other variables to form hypotheses that can be tested in subsequent research.
False
Consumers Union purchases twenty-five brands of lawnmowers and tests them for various attributes. This is an example of secondary data.
False
External validity refers to whether the experimental treatment really made the difference in the measurements obtained.
False
In cluster analysis, the individuals or objects are categorized into different groups where the members of each group tend to be different.
False
In general, multiple choice and dichotomous questions can be easy to formulate, but data entry and analysis are relatively hard to accomplish.
False
Nonsampling errors can be reduced by increasing the size of a sample.
False
Regarding causal studies, it should be pointed out that statistical techniques alone can prove causality.
False
Secondary data tends to require more time and expense, but have the advantage of being more applicable to the research problem or situation.
False
The convenience sample is an example of probability sampling where every person or element in the population may not have an equal chance for inclusion in the sample.
False
The persons or objects receiving a treatment in an experiment are said to be in the control group.
False
35. Which of the following statements is not true? a. For probability samples, sampling error can be reduced by decreasing the sample size. b. Nonsampling error is a tendency toward error in one direction or the other and can be present even if a complete census is taken. c. In probability sampling, each element in the population has some (nonzero) known or calculable chance of being included in the sample. d. In nonprobability sampling, not everyone in the population has a chance of being included in the sample. e. Nonprobability techniques discussed in the text include convenience, quota, purposive, and judgment sampling.
a. For probability samples, sampling error can be reduced by decreasing the sample size.
26. Which of the following is a major weakness of a nonprobability sample? a. Not every element has a known chance of being included in the sample. b. It is convenient for the sample taker. c. It allows the selection of members, which are not typical. d. It is used in small exploratory studies. e. It is cost efficient.
a. Not every element has a known chance of being included in the sample.
Which of the following questionnaire designs requires the respondent to pick from only two choices? a. dichotomous questions b. multiple choice questions c. open-ended questions d. demographic questions
a. dichotomous questions
30. When all the items in a population have some (nonzero) known or calculable chance of being selected in the sample, this is called: a. probability sampling. b. nonprobability sampling. c. purposive sampling. d. convenience sampling. e. judgment sampling.
a. probability sampling.
18. When the sample mean differs from the population mean simply be chance, the error that results is known as: a. sampling error. b. response error. c. nonresponse error. d. bias. e. nonsystematic error.
a. sampling error.
33. When every possible sample of size n has the same chance of being selected, this is called: a. simple random sampling. b. stratified sampling. c. cluster sampling. d. convenience sampling. e. quota sampling.
a. simple random sampling.
In experiments, the purpose is to identify ____________________ and ____________________ relationships between variables.
cause; effect
The ____________________ sample involves dividing the population into groups, then randomly selecting some of the groups and taking either a sample or a census of their members.
cluster
13. Which of the following statements is not correct? a. Internal secondary data are those that have been generated by your own firm or organization. b. External secondary data are those that have been generated by someone outside the firm or organization, often for another purpose. c. Internal secondary data have traditionally existed in the form of accounting or financial information. d. All of these statements are correct. e. None of these statements is correct.
d. All of these statements are correct.
22. Which of the following is an example of nonsampling errors? a. Errors that arise from the recording of incorrect responses b. Errors that arise when responses are not obtained from some members of the sample c. Errors that arise when some members of the target population cannot possibly be selected in the sample d. All of these.
d. All of these.
Which of the following variables probably could be measured in an observational study of airline travelers? a. The brand of coffee they drink at home. b. The occupation of the traveler. c. How many frequent traveler miles they have earned. d. The gender of the traveler. e. The total number of bags taken on the airplane trip (carry-on and checked).
d. The gender of the traveler.
34. Which of the following does not characterize stratified sampling? a. The population is divided into strata that are distinct. b. The population is divided into strata that are mutually exclusive and exhaustive. c. The population is divided into strata that are homogenous. d. The population is divided into strata that are heterogenous.
d. The population is divided into strata that are heterogenous.
16. A census is: a. a complete enumeration of the population. b. a survey of the entire population. c. the measurement of a sample. d. answers A and B are both correct. e. answers A and C are both correct.
d. answers A and B are both correct.
36. The nonprobability sampling technique where members are chosen specifically because they are not typical of the population is known as: a. judgment sampling. b. quota sampling. c. convenience sampling. d. purposive sampling. e. cluster sampling.
d. purposive sampling.
25. One weakness of a systematic sample is that: a. it is difficult to separate the population into strata. b. geographic areas may not be known. c. taking the sample requires judgment on the part of the researcher. d. the data may exhibit a pattern of periodicity. e. the observations are chosen because they are not typical of the population.
d. the data may exhibit a pattern of periodicity.
4. A(n) ____________________ questionnaire offers respondents only two alternatives.
dichotomous
The ______________________________ technique identifies the variables that best separate members of two or more groups. It can also be used to predict group membership on the basis of variables that have been measured or observed.
discriminant analysis
31. Which of the following sampling plans use random methods of selections? a. Simple random sampling b. Stratified sampling c. Cluster sampling d. Systematic Sampling e. All of these
e. All of these
12. Which of the following statements is not true? a. Extraneous variables refer to outside variables that are not part of the experiment. b. Persons or objects receiving a treatment are said to be in an experimental group. c. Persons or objects not exposed to a treatment are said to be in a control group. d. Internal validity refers to whether the treatment really made the difference in the measurements obtained. e. All of these are true.
e. All of these are true.
2. The ____________________ is a method in which a moderator leads a small-group discussion about a topic and the client watches and listens from behind a one-way mirror.
focus group interview
Secondary data can be classified as ____________________ or ____________________, depending on whether the data have been generated from within or outside the researcher's firm or organization.
internal; external
When the respondents to a questionnaire have different characteristics from those who did not choose to participate in the survey, the survey will likely suffer from ____________________.
nonresponse error
A(n) ____________________ questionnaire leaves respondents free to formulate their own answers and expand on the subject of the questionnaire.
open-ended
Sampling methods can be categorized as ____________________ or ____________________ sampling.
probability; nonprobability
5. While taking a census is more expensive than taking a sample, taking a census might help eliminate the problem of ____________________ error.
sampling
Fill in the blank: Data that are collected by someone other than the researcher, for purposes other than the problem or decision at hand, are referred to as _________________________.
secondary data
A ____________________ is a characteristic of a sample, while a ____________________ is a characteristic of a population.
statistic; parameter
In a(n) ____________________ sample, the population is divided into layers; then a simple random sample of members from each layer is selected.
stratified
In a(n) ____________________ sample, we randomly select a starting point between 1 and k, then sample every kth element from the population.
systematic
