Sampling Methods in Psychology: A Comprehensive Guide for Students

Question 1

Which characteristic is NOT associated with probability sampling?

Accepted Answer

Selection is based on accessibility or convenience.

Answer

Every member of the population has a known probability of selection.

Answer

The sample is intended to represent the population accurately.

Answer

It enables statistical generalization to the population.

Question 2

Which sampling method is suitable when the population is divided into distinct subgroups?

Accepted Answer

Stratified sampling

Answer

Cluster sampling

Answer

Snowball sampling

Answer

Quota sampling

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT an advantage of stratified sampling?

Accepted Answer

Simplicity and cost-effectiveness

Answer

Increased precision

Answer

Reduced sampling error

Answer

Guaranteed representation of subgroups

Question 4

Which of the following is a potential source of bias in convenience sampling?

Accepted Answer

Selection bias

Answer

Response bias

Answer

Sampling error

Answer

Non-response bias

Question 5

What distinguishes a census from a sample?

Accepted Answer

A census includes the entire population, while a sample includes only a subset.

Answer

A census is less accurate than a sample.

Answer

A census is more expensive than a sample.

Answer

A sample is more representative than a census.

Question 6

Which of the following is a characteristic of a representative sample?

Accepted Answer

It accurately reflects the characteristics of the target population.

Answer

It is not affected by sampling error.

Answer

It is always larger than the population.

Answer

It is easy to obtain.

Question 7

What is the purpose of using a sampling frame in probability sampling?

Accepted Answer

To ensure that every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected

Answer

To reduce sampling error

Answer

To make the sampling process more efficient

Answer

To increase the accuracy of the research findings

Question 8

Which sampling method does NOT adhere to the principles of probability sampling?

Accepted Answer

Quota sampling

Answer

Simple random sampling

Answer

Stratified sampling

Answer

Cluster sampling

Question 9

Which sampling method relies on readily available participants, rather than a random selection?

Accepted Answer

Convenience sampling

Answer

Simple random sampling

Answer

Cluster sampling

Answer

Stratified sampling

Question 10

Which non-probability sampling method has the highest likelihood of producing a biased sample?

Accepted Answer

Convenience sampling

Answer

Cluster sampling

Answer

Systematic sampling

Answer

Purposive sampling

Question 11

Which assumption is crucial for the applicability of the central limit theorem?

Accepted Answer

The sample size is sufficiently large.

Answer

The population is normally distributed.

Answer

The sampling method is random.

Answer

The population variance is known.

Question 12

Which disadvantage is associated with cluster sampling?

Accepted Answer

It can introduce bias into the sample.

Answer

It necessitates a comprehensive sampling frame.

Answer

It is costlier than simple random sampling.

Answer

It is less efficient compared to stratified sampling.

Question 13

What is the fundamental objective of random assignment?

Accepted Answer

Ensure comparability between groups being studied.

Answer

Reduce sampling error.

Answer

Eliminate bias.

Answer

Enhance the generalizability of findings.

Question 14

Define the sampling distribution of the mean.

Accepted Answer

The distribution of all possible sample means.

Answer

The distribution of all possible population means.

Answer

The distribution of all possible sample variances.

Answer

The distribution of all possible population variances.

Question 15

In longitudinal research, how do sampling decisions impact the accuracy and applicability of findings over time?

Accepted Answer

Sampling decisions influence the sample's representativeness, affecting the validity and generalizability of findings over time.

Answer

Sampling decisions have no bearing on longitudinal studies because the same participants are observed over time.

Answer

Sampling decisions only affect the validity of findings in longitudinal studies, not their generalizability.

Answer

Sampling decisions have no impact on the validity and generalizability of findings in longitudinal studies.

Question 16

In probability sampling, what does the principle of independence mean?

Accepted Answer

Choosing one person does not affect the chances of choosing another.

Answer

Every individual in the population has an equal likelihood of being chosen.

Answer

The sample size should be large enough to accurately represent the population.

Answer

The sampling method must be entirely random.

Question 17

Which of the following is a probability sampling technique?

Accepted Answer

Simple random sampling

Answer

Quota sampling

Answer

Snowball sampling

Answer

Convenience sampling

Question 18

In stratified sampling, the population is divided into subgroups called:

Accepted Answer

Strata

Answer

Clusters

Answer

Panels

Answer

Cohorts

Question 19

Which of the following methods involves selecting every nth subject from the population?

Accepted Answer

Systematic sampling

Answer

Random digit dialing

Answer

Lottery method

Answer

Snowball sampling

Question 20

The advantage of probability sampling over non-probability sampling is that it ensures:

Accepted Answer

Equal chance of selection for all

Answer

Cost-effectiveness

Answer

Convenience

Answer

Accuracy of results

Question 21

Which non-probability sampling technique involves identifying and selecting participants who match specific characteristics?

Accepted Answer

Purposeful sampling

Answer

Convenience sampling

Answer

Snowball sampling

Answer

Quota sampling

Question 22

Quota sampling involves selecting participants based on:

Accepted Answer

Their demographic characteristics

Answer

Their availability

Answer

Their knowledge of the research topic

Answer

Their motivation to participate

Question 23

A potential bias that can arise in non-probability sampling is:

Accepted Answer

Selection bias

Answer

Sampling error

Answer

Measurement error

Answer

Response bias

Question 24

The sample size in a research study is important because it:

Accepted Answer

Affects the accuracy of the findings

Answer

Influences the cost of the study

Answer

Determines the type of sampling technique used

Answer

Limits the number of variables that can be studied