Q 1.31. - Elementary Statistics

Question

Regarding probability sampling:

(a) What is it?

(b) Does probability sampling always yield a representative sample?

(c) Identify some advantages of probability sampling.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

Part (a) A random device is used in probability sampling to decide which members of the population will constitute the sample instead of leaving such decisions to human judgment.

Part (b) No, it does not always yield a representative sample.

Part (c) Eliminates unintentional selection bias, permits the researchers to control the chance of obtaining a non-representative sample and the techniques of inferential statistics can be applied.

Part (a) Step 1. Given information.

The given statement is:

What is probability sampling.

Part (a) Step 2. meaning of probability sampling.

In probability sampling, a random device is used to decide which members of the population will constitute the sample instead of leaving such decisions to human judgment.

A few random devices for probability sampling are tossing a coin, consulting a table of random sampling, or employing a random number generator.

Part (b) Step 1. Part (a) Step 1. Given information.

The given statement is:

Does probability sampling always yield a representative sample?

Part (b) Step 2. Explanation.

No, probability sampling does not always yield a representative sample because its use may still yield a non-representative sample.

Part (c) Step 1. Some advantages of probability sampling.

• Probability sampling permits the researchers to control the chance of obtaining a non-representative sample.
• It eliminates unintentional selection bias.
• It also guarantees that the techniques of inferential statistics can be applied.