FAST Sampling Methods and Design 3

Question 1

A sample statistic is used to estimate a population parameter. As sample size increases, what generally happens to the sampling error?

Accepted Answer

It decreases

Answer

Larger samples reduce sampling error because they provide more information and more closely approximate the population.

Question 2

In experimental design, a 'control group' serves what primary purpose?

Accepted Answer

To provide a baseline for comparing the effect of the treatment

Answer

A control group does not receive the treatment, establishing a baseline against which treatment effects can be measured.

Question 3

A study randomly assigns participants to treatment and control groups. What is the main advantage of random assignment?

Accepted Answer

It helps balance known and unknown confounding variables across groups

Answer

Random assignment distributes both known and unknown confounders roughly equally between groups, supporting causal inference.

Question 4

Which term describes a variable that is related to both the independent and dependent variables and may distort the apparent relationship between them?

Accepted Answer

Confounder

Answer

A confounder is a third variable that can create a spurious or masked association between the independent and dependent variables.

Question 5

A convenience sample drawn from one university cannot be generalized to all college students in the U.S. This limitation is a problem of:

Accepted Answer

External validity

Answer

External validity concerns whether findings can be generalized beyond the specific sample, setting, or time of the study.

(FAST) Future Aptitude Selection Tool Practice Test

(FAST) Future Aptitude Selection Tool Practice Test

FAST Sampling Methods and Design 3