Purchase Solution

Sampling and Bias

Not what you're looking for?

Ask Custom Question

A noted scientist Dr. Iconu wanted to investigate attitudes toward television advertising among American college students. He decided to use a sample of 100 students. Students in freshman psychology (PSY 001) are required to serve as subjects for experimental work. Dr. Iconu obtained a class list for PSY 001 and chose a simple random sample of 100 of the 340 students on the list. He asked each of the 100 students in the sample the following question:

Do you agree or disagree that having commercials on TV is a fair price to pay for being able to watch it?

Of the 100 students in the sample, 82 marked "Agree." Dr. Iconu announced the result of his investigation by saying, "82% of American College Students are in favor of TV commercials."

(a) What is the population in this example?
(b) What is the sampling frame in this example?
(c) Explain briefly why the sampling frame is or is not suitable.
(d) Discuss briefly the question Dr. Iconu asked. Is it a slanted question?
(e) Discuss briefly why Dr. Iconu's announced result is misleading.
(f) Dr. Iconu defended himself against criticism by pointing out that he had carefully selected a simple random sample from his sampling frame. Is this defense relevant?

Submit well thought out responses to questions posed in (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), and (f) in a message to your class Discussion Board. Remember, you only need to respond to two other students for 1.1. There is no need to respond to others' work on the above, but it would be a good idea to read a few of them.

Purchase this Solution
Solution Summary

The solution discusses sampling and bias.

Solution Preview

(a) What is the population in this example?

The population is all American college students.

(b) What is the sampling frame in this example?

The sample is the 100 students selected from the psychology class. The sampling frame (the list of all the sampling units in the target population) should be a roster of all American college students. Instead, it is the students in the freshman psychology class.

(c) Explain briefly why the ...

Purchase this Solution
Free BrainMass Quizzes
Terms and Definitions for Statistics

This quiz covers basic terms and definitions of statistics.

Measures of Central Tendency

Tests knowledge of the three main measures of central tendency, including some simple calculation questions.

Measures of Central Tendency

This quiz evaluates the students understanding of the measures of central tendency seen in statistics. This quiz is specifically designed to incorporate the measures of central tendency as they relate to psychological research.

Know Your Statistical Concepts

Each question is a choice-summary multiple choice question that presents you with a statistical concept and then 4 numbered statements. You must decide which (if any) of the numbered statements is/are true as they relate to the statistical concept.

View More Free Quizzes
Related BrainMass Solutions

  • Opinion and Bias in Healthcare

    We under-represent the poll, and further bias the sampling toward workers and the hospital staff. An opinion is just a sampling of people ideas in an opinion poll.

  • Sampling Methods

    The writer wants to use these results to conclude that the housing market is declining, and we are headed for a recession. Answers a. Explain the bias and sampling error in this study. Here the bias is response bias.

  • Statistics - Simple Random Sampling & Cluster Sampling

    269451 Statistics - Simple Random Sampling & Cluster Sampling Compare the differences of simple random sampling and cluster sampling using specific examples, and show the advantages and disadvantages of each method.

  • Random Selection: Why Is It Necessary?

    The statistical outcomes may not be valid for sampling with bias, or non-independence of the data points. So, for the tests to be valid and usable for extrapolation back to the population, you need random sampling and a normal distribution.

  • Sampling Error vs Non Sampling Error

    362117 Sampling Error vs Non Sampling Error Distinguish between a sampling error and a non sampling error and "how can each be reduced". Sampling Errors are those errors in statistical research caused by the sample or use of a sample.

  • Purpose of sampling

    Sampling error can be due to chance or due to sampling bias. Sampling bias refers to favor the selection of units that have particular characteristics.

  • Academic Convenience Sampling

    In this method of sampling, researcher select the sample on the basis of convenience. Therefore, there is inherent bias in convenience sampling and the sample is unlikely to be the true representative of the population.

  • Sampling, Sample Design

    When this occurs, the sample is not representative of the population and any conclusions derived from that sample may be erroneous. Thus, sample design is critical for minimizing sampling bias and maximizing data validity.

  • Bias

    In these limitations it may indicate possible bias. Some examples of bias in research could include the response bias, sampling bias, and the interviewer bias.

View More Related Solutions