Samples and Margin of Error

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What is a convenience sample?

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A convenience sample is a type of non-probability sampling where the sample is taken from a group that is easily accessible, rather than being randomly selected.

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What is a random sample?

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A random sample is a sampling method where each member of the population has an equal chance of being selected, ensuring that the sample is representative of the population.

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What is a voluntary response sample?

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A voluntary response sample is a type of sampling where individuals choose to participate, often leading to biased results because those who respond may have strong opinions.

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What is a weighted sample?

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A weighted sample is a sampling method where different members of the population are given different weights in the analysis, often used to correct for biases.

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What is margin of error?

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Margin of error is a statistic that expresses the amount of random sampling error in a survey's results, indicating the range within which the true population parameter is expected to fall.

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How do you calculate the margin of error?

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The margin of error can be calculated using the formula: Margin of Error = Z * (σ/√n), where Z is the Z-score corresponding to the confidence level, σ is the standard deviation, and n is the sample size.

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What does a margin of error of 2% mean?

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A margin of error of 2% means that the true value in the population is likely to fall within 2 percentage points above or below the reported statistic.

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Why is a larger sample size better?

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A larger sample size reduces the margin of error, leading to more accurate and reliable results.

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What is a statistic?

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A statistic is a numerical value that describes a characteristic of a sample, as opposed to a parameter, which describes a characteristic of a population.

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Why do we want our samples to be random?

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Random samples help to decrease bias, ensuring that the results are more representative of the entire population.