Producing Data: Sampling Basics

Chapter 5 Section 1a

Data Collection Methods

Observational Study:
Observe individuals and measure variables of interest, but do not attempt to influence the responses ThinkHANDS-OFF

Experiment
Deliberately impose some treatment on (that is, do something to) individuals in order to observe their responses. ThinkHANDS-ON

BIG THOUGHT!
The goal of sampling, so to select a manageable group of people/items that represent the population without bias

Terms
Population
The entire group of individuals that we want information about. CENSUS: contacts (or attempts) every individual in the entire population Parameter: a numerical value relating to a population

Sample
A part of the population that we actually examine in order to gather information SMAPLING: studies a part in order to gain information about the whole Statistic: a numerical value relating to a sample

Types of Poor Sampling

Voluntary Response Sample
Example 5.2 & 5.3 (pg. 331)what is wrong here? Usually biased because people with strong opinions are most likely to respond.

Convenience Sampling
Example 5.4 (pg. 332)

Bias
When a sampling method systematically favors certain outcomes

NOTE: poor sampling methods can produce misleading conclusions

Accidental Bias
Undercoverage
Occurs when some groups in the population are left out of the process of choosing the sample Think about a survey of householdswho is left out?

Nonresponse
Occurs when individuals chosen for the sample cant be contacted or do not cooperate

Accidental Bias
Wording of questions
See Example 5.11 & 5.12 (page 346)

Before you trust a poll:

Insist on knowing the exact question asked Know the rate of non-response Know the date and method of survey KEY THOUGHT: Larger random samples give more accurate results than smaller samples (with probability samples only!)

Random Samples
The best way to avoid bias, is to allow chance to select the sample Simple Random Sample (SRS)
A sample of size n that consists of n individuals from the population chosen in such a way that every set of n individuals has an equal chance to be in the sample actually selected. Example 5.5 on pg. 336

Setting up a SRS
LABEL: Assign a numerical label to every individual in the population
Assign digits so that every needed # can be chosen

TABLE: Use Table B to select labels at random

TABLE B: A table of random digits designed so that each entry in the table is equally likely to be any of the 10 digits 0 through 9 and the entries are independent of each other.

STOPPING RULE: Indicate when you should stop sampling. IDENTIFY SAMPLE: Identify subjects selected in the sample.

Pg. 333 5.1-5.7 odd pg. 341 5.9 pg. 347 5.15-5.19 odd
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