Master Sampling Techniques in Research Methods in Psychology

Question 1

What is a major drawback of using convenience sampling?

Accepted Answer

The sample may not represent the population, leading to biased results.

Answer

The sample size is typically too small for meaningful conclusions.

Answer

The sample tends to include individuals who are highly motivated or interested in the topic.

Answer

Convenience sampling is not suitable for quantitative research.

Question 2

To accurately represent the opinions of adult citizens on a proposed city ordinance, which sampling method should a researcher use?

Accepted Answer

Simple random sampling

Answer

Convenience sampling

Answer

Quota sampling

Answer

Snowball sampling

Question 3

In stratified sampling, what is the significance of strata, and how does it contribute to obtaining a representative sample?

Accepted Answer

Strata are distinct subgroups that collectively represent the population's diversity, ensuring sample representativeness.

Answer

Strata are used to reduce sampling error by increasing the sample size.

Answer

Strata are random divisions of the population that do not impact sample representativeness.

Answer

Strata are only used in non-probability sampling methods.

Question 4

Which of the following is a non-probability sampling technique?

Accepted Answer

Quota sampling

Answer

Simple random sampling

Answer

Systematic sampling

Answer

Stratified sampling

Question 5

What is the purpose of a sampling frame?

Accepted Answer

To provide a list of all potential participants in the study

Answer

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

Answer

To stratify the sample into different subgroups

Answer

To reduce the likelihood of selection bias

Question 6

What is the distinction between a population and a sample?

Accepted Answer

A population is the entire group of individuals being studied, while a sample is a subset of the population.

Answer

A sample is the entire group of individuals being studied, while a population is a subset of the sample.

Answer

A population and a sample are the same thing.

Answer

There is no difference between a population and a sample.

Question 7

Which of the following is not considered a probability sampling method?

Accepted Answer

Convenience sampling

Answer

Random sampling

Answer

Cluster sampling

Answer

Stratified sampling

Question 8

In purposive sampling, the researcher selects participants based on:

Accepted Answer

Specific characteristics relevant to the research question

Answer

Chance

Answer

Representativeness

Answer

Convenience

Question 9

Which sampling technique is most suitable for generalizing findings to a larger population?

Accepted Answer

Stratified sampling

Answer

Snowball sampling

Answer

Quota sampling

Answer

Convenience sampling

Question 10

What is the primary advantage of using a probability sampling method?

Accepted Answer

Representative sample

Answer

Cost-effectiveness

Answer

Increased sample size

Answer

Ease of data collection

Question 11

In systematic sampling, participants are selected by:

Accepted Answer

Randomly choosing a starting point and then selecting every nth element from the sampling frame

Answer

Selecting participants from different strata or subgroups within the population

Answer

Convenience

Answer

Snowballing

Question 12

Which of the following is a type of probability sampling where each participant has an equal chance of being selected?

Accepted Answer

Simple random sampling

Answer

Convenience sampling

Answer

Systematic sampling

Answer

Quota sampling

Question 13

What is a primary benefit of using random sampling in research?

Accepted Answer

Reduces bias and increases the likelihood of obtaining representative results

Answer

Saves time and reduces the cost of data collection

Answer

Provides a more comprehensive view of the population

Answer

Enhances the generalizability of findings beyond the sample

Question 14

Which non-probability sampling method is most appropriate when the target population is difficult to identify and access?

Accepted Answer

Snowball sampling

Answer

Cluster sampling

Answer

Stratified sampling

Answer

Quota sampling

Question 15

What is the primary role of a sampling frame?

Accepted Answer

To provide a complete list of potential participants from which the sample is drawn

Answer

To ensure the sample is representative of the target population

Answer

To reduce sampling bias

Answer

To increase the accuracy of the research findings

Question 16

Which sampling method involves dividing the population into distinct groups based on shared characteristics and selecting participants from each group?

Accepted Answer

Stratified sampling

Answer

Cluster sampling

Answer

Systematic sampling

Answer

Convenience sampling

Question 17

What is the primary purpose of random sampling?

Accepted Answer

To reduce bias in the selection of participants

Answer

To ensure equal representation of all subgroups within the population

Answer

To increase the sample size for data collection

Answer

To minimize the margin of error in research findings

Question 18

Which of the following is a key advantage of using stratified sampling in research?

Accepted Answer

It ensures a more representative sample by dividing the population into relevant subgroups

Answer

It is a less expensive method compared to other probability sampling techniques

Answer

It is easier to implement than non-probability sampling methods

Answer

It produces more accurate results than convenience sampling

Question 19

Identify the main drawback associated with snowball sampling:

Accepted Answer

It can lead to biased results due to the reliance on existing connections

Answer

It is a complex and time-consuming method to implement

Answer

It requires a large sample size to ensure representativeness

Answer

It is not suitable for research with sensitive or confidential topics

Question 20

Which sampling method is most appropriate for exploratory research, where the goal is to gain insights and generate hypotheses?

Accepted Answer

Purposive sampling

Answer

Convenience sampling

Answer

Quota sampling

Answer

Cluster sampling

Question 21

Define the fundamental difference between a population and a sample in research:

Accepted Answer

A sample is a smaller group selected from the larger population

Answer

A population is a smaller group within the larger sample

Answer

A sample is always representative of the population

Answer

A population is always larger than the sample

Question 22

When would you use a stratified sampling method?

Accepted Answer

When the population is highly diverse and you want to ensure representation from different subgroups.

Answer

When you want to obtain a random sample of the population.

Question 23

Which of the following is a common sampling error?

Accepted Answer

Sampling bias

Answer

Sampling variance

Question 24

What is the main difference between systematic sampling and cluster sampling?

Accepted Answer

Systematic sampling selects every kth element from the population, while cluster sampling selects groups of elements.

Answer

Cluster sampling is more likely to produce a representative sample than systematic sampling.

Question 25

Which sampling technique involves selecting subjects randomly from a list of all members of the population?

Accepted Answer

Simple random sampling

Answer

Convenience sampling

Answer

Quota sampling

Answer

Purposive sampling

Question 26

What is the primary advantage of stratified sampling?

Accepted Answer

Reduces sampling error and increases the representation of subgroups within the sample.

Answer

Simplifies data collection.

Answer

Ensures equal representation of all groups.

Answer

Reduces the cost of sampling.

Question 27

Which non-probability sampling method involves identifying a few initial subjects and then asking them to refer additional subjects who meet the research criteria?

Accepted Answer

Snowball sampling

Answer

Systematic sampling

Answer

Cluster sampling

Answer

Convenience sampling

Question 28

Which sampling method ensures that every individual in the population has an equal chance of being selected?

Accepted Answer

Random sampling

Answer

Cluster sampling

Answer

Quota sampling

Answer

Systematic sampling

Question 29

What should be the primary consideration when selecting a sampling method?

Accepted Answer

Research question, study objectives, and population characteristics

Answer

Sample size

Answer

Availability of participants

Answer

Cost and time constraints

Question 30

Which sampling technique involves dividing the population into non-overlapping groups (strata) based on shared characteristics and randomly selecting subjects from each stratum?

Accepted Answer

Stratified sampling

Answer

Quota sampling

Answer

Systematic sampling

Answer

Cluster sampling

Question 31

Which sampling method is suitable for research on a population that is difficult to access or identify?

Accepted Answer

Snowball sampling

Answer

Random sampling

Answer

Quota sampling

Answer

Purposive sampling

Question 32

What is the difference between a sampling frame and a population?

Accepted Answer

The population is the entire group of interest, while the sampling frame is the list of available participants from which the sample is drawn.

Answer

The sampling frame is the entire group of interest, while the population is the list of available participants from which the sample is drawn.

Answer

The population is the available participants, while the sampling frame is the targeted group of interest.

Answer

There is no difference between a sampling frame and a population.

Question 33

Which of the following is NOT a type of probability sampling method?

Accepted Answer

Quota

Answer

Simple random

Answer

Systematic

Answer

Stratified

Question 34

Which sampling technique involves selecting every nth subject from a population list?

Accepted Answer

Systematic

Answer

Simple random

Answer

Cluster

Answer

Snowball

Question 35

What is the key characteristic that distinguishes a simple random sample from a systematic sample?

Accepted Answer

The selection process

Answer

Population size

Answer

Sampling frame

Answer

Sample representativeness

Question 36

What is a potential limitation of using a snowball sampling technique?

Accepted Answer

Sampling bias

Answer

Generalizability of findings

Answer

Participant confidentiality

Answer

High response rates

Question 37

What is the purpose of a sampling frame in research?

Accepted Answer

To identify potential participants

Answer

To randomly select subjects

Answer

To stratify the population

Answer

To ensure participant anonymity

Question 38

Which type of sampling method is likely to produce a sample with the greatest external validity?

Accepted Answer

Stratified

Answer

Simple random

Answer

Cluster

Answer

Purposive

Question 39

Which of the following is a disadvantage of stratified sampling?

Accepted Answer

Inconvenience and difficulty of implementation

Answer

Improved representation of different strata within the population

Answer

Reduced sampling error compared to simple random sampling

Question 40

Which of the following is NOT a probability sampling method?

Accepted Answer

Convenience sampling

Answer

Simple random sampling

Answer

Systematic sampling

Answer

Stratified sampling

Question 41

When using cluster sampling, the researcher randomly selects:

Accepted Answer

Groups of individuals

Answer

Individual participants

Answer

Geographic areas

Answer

Time periods

Question 42

Which of the following is a limitation of convenience sampling?

Accepted Answer

Bias towards certain population groups

Answer

Generalizability of findings

Answer

Cost-effectiveness

Answer

Sample size

Question 43

Which of the following is an example of a non-probability sampling method?

Accepted Answer

Quota sampling

Answer

Simple random sampling

Answer

Stratified sampling

Answer

Cluster sampling

Question 44

Which non-probability sampling method is appropriate when resources are limited?

Accepted Answer

Convenience sampling

Answer

Snowball sampling

Answer

Purposive sampling

Answer

Quota sampling

Question 45

What is the primary advantage of stratified sampling?

Accepted Answer

Ensuring representation of subgroups within the population

Answer

Reducing sampling error

Answer

Simplifying data collection

Answer

Reducing bias

Question 46

In which scenario is cluster sampling typically used?

Accepted Answer

When the population is geographically dispersed

Answer

When a comprehensive population list is available

Answer

When the researcher seeks a representative sample

Answer

When the population size is large

Question 47

What is the distinction between sampling error and non-sampling error?

Accepted Answer

Sampling error is random, while non-sampling error is systematic.

Answer

Sampling error is systematic, while non-sampling error is random.

Answer

Both types of error are random.

Answer

Both types of error are systematic.

Question 48

What is the purpose of utilizing a sampling frame?

Accepted Answer

Identifying the population of interest

Answer

Selecting a representative sample

Answer

Reducing sampling error

Answer

Minimizing non-sampling error

Question 49

Which assumption is fundamental to probability sampling?

Accepted Answer

Every member of the population has an equal chance of selection

Answer

The population is normally distributed

Answer

The sample size is sufficiently large

Answer

The sampling method is unbiased

Question 50

In probability sampling methods, what ensures that every individual in the population has an equal chance of being selected?

Accepted Answer

Randomization

Answer

Stratification

Answer

Convenience

Answer

Availability

Question 51

Which sampling method involves dividing the population into subgroups (strata) and then randomly selecting participants from each stratum?

Accepted Answer

Stratified sampling

Answer

Simple random sampling

Answer

Cluster sampling

Answer

Quota sampling

Question 52

In non-probability sampling, participants are selected based on their:

Accepted Answer

Availability or convenience

Answer

Age and gender

Answer

Random selection

Answer

Representativeness of the population

Question 53

Which sampling method is particularly useful for gathering in-depth information from a specific group or population?

Accepted Answer

Purposive sampling

Answer

Survey sampling

Answer

Quota sampling

Answer

Simple random sampling

Question 54

What is the primary advantage of using stratified sampling?

Accepted Answer

Ensuring representation of subgroups within the population

Answer

Reducing sampling error

Answer

Simplifying data collection

Answer

Increasing generalizability

Question 55

In systematic sampling, individuals are selected from a population based on what criterion?

Accepted Answer

Their position in a random order

Answer

Their membership in specific subgroups

Answer

Their proximity to each other

Answer

Their willingness to participate

Question 56

Convenience sampling is a type of non-probability sampling method where individuals are selected:

Accepted Answer

Based on their availability and accessibility

Answer

Randomly from a population list

Answer

According to predetermined criteria

Answer

From specific subgroups within the population

Question 57

Which of the following is a non-probability sampling method that relies on participants recruiting additional participants?

Accepted Answer

Snowball sampling

Answer

Simple random sampling

Answer

Systematic sampling

Answer

Quota sampling

Question 58

The primary purpose of a sampling frame is to:

Accepted Answer

Identify the target population

Answer

Determine the sampling method

Answer

Collect data from participants

Answer

Analyze the research results

Question 59

Which sampling method randomly selects participants to ensure a representative sample of the population?

Accepted Answer

Simple random sampling

Answer

Stratified sampling

Answer

Convenience sampling

Answer

Quota sampling

Question 60

What is the primary advantage of stratified sampling compared to simple random sampling?

Accepted Answer

Ensures that subgroups within the population are adequately represented in the sample

Answer

Reduces the likelihood of sampling error

Answer

Increases the sample size

Answer

Simplifies data analysis

Question 61

Which non-probability sampling method involves gradually recruiting participants through their existing social networks?

Accepted Answer

Snowball sampling

Answer

Convenience sampling

Answer

Quota sampling

Answer

Purposive sampling

Question 62

Convenience sampling is an appropriate method when:

Accepted Answer

Conducting exploratory research with a limited sample size

Answer

Targeting a specific and clearly defined population

Answer

Requiring high precision in the results

Answer

Working with a population that is dispersed geographically

Question 63

How does quota sampling ensure representation of subgroups in the sample?

Accepted Answer

By recruiting a specific number of participants from each subgroup to match the population proportions

Answer

By randomly selecting participants from each subgroup

Answer

By using stratified random sampling

Answer

By matching the sample distribution to the population distribution

Question 64

Which factor is NOT relevant when determining the appropriate sample size?

Accepted Answer

The participant's availability

Answer

The research question and hypotheses

Answer

Power analysis

Answer

The data collection method