Chapter 14: Sample Size Determination

Multiple Choice

1. Which of the following is not a piece of required information in order to

determine sample size?
a. estimated population standard deviation
b. estimated population median
c. acceptable level of sampling error
d. desired level of confidence
e. All are necessary to determine sample size.

Ans: B
Difficulty: Medium
Response: See page 408
Ref: Determining Sample Size for Probability Samples
Learning Objective 14.1: To learn the financial and statistical issues in the
determination of sample size.

2. The idea that a large number of sample means or proportions will approximate a
normal distribution, regardless of the distribution of the population from which
they were drawn, is known as:
a. sample variance.
b. population variance.
c. central limit theorem.
d. random error.
e. none of the above

Ans: C
Difficulty: Medium
Response: See page 408
Ref: Normal Distribution
Learning Objective 14.3: To gain an appreciation of a normal distribution.

3. A continuous distribution, which is bell-shaped and symmetric about the mean, is

known as:
a. the normal distribution.
b. the chi-square distribution.
c. the F-distribution.
d. the mean distribution.
e. the binomial distribution.

Ans: A

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Difficulty: Easy
Response: See page 409
Ref: Normal Distribution
Learning Objective 14.3: To gain an appreciation of a normal distribution.

4. A researcher wants to know the average number of times per month respondents
eat at fast food restaurants. The statistic that s/he is most interested in would be
the_________.
a. variance
b. mean
c. standard deviation
d. proportion

Ans: B
Difficulty: Medium
Response: See page 412
Ref: Sampling Distribution of the Mean
Learning Objective 14.4: To understand population, sample, and sampling
distributions.

5. Researchers can determine via statistical techniques sample size. However, these
techniques can only be applied to which of the following types of sample?
a. cluster
b. simple random
c. nonprobability
d. stratified
e. none of the above

Ans: B
Difficulty: Medium
Response: See page 419-420
Ref: Determining Sample Size
Learning Objective 14.4: To understand population, sample, and sampling
distributions.

6. Which of the following is not a determinant of sample size for probability

samples?
a. budget available
b. research objectives
c. rule of thumb
d. none of the above

Ans: D

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Difficulty: Easy
Response: See page 407-408?
Ref: Determining Sample Size for Probability Samples
Learning Objective 14.2: To discover methods for determining sample size.

7. If we were making inferences from a single sample, we would expect that there
would be a ____ percent probability that the sample mean or proportion generated
from our sample results would be within two standard errors of the true
population mean.
a. 68.26%
b. 99.74%
c. 97.5%
d. 95.44%
e. 98.00%

Ans: D
Difficulty: Medium
Response: See page 409
Ref: Normal Distribution
Learning Objective 14.3: To gain an appreciation of a normal distribution.

8. Higher levels of confidence generally require:

a. larger sample sizes.
b. greater variance.
c. smaller sample sizes.
d. smaller standard deviation.

Ans: A
Difficulty: Easy
Response: See pages 417-418
Ref: Sampling Distribution of the Mean
Learning Objective 14.4: To understand population, sample, and sampling
distributions.

9. When a research company routinely uses samples of 300 for their studies, they are
using which type of plan to determine sample size?
a. the 50% rule
b. budget available
c. rule of thumb
d. number of subgroups to be analyzed

Ans: C
Difficulty: Easy

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Response: See page 407
Ref: Determining Sample Size for Probability Samples
Learning Objective 14.2: To discover methods for determining sample size.

10. How many respondents should be in each important subgroup of a sample?

a. 10
b. 25
c. 50
d. 100

Ans: D
Difficulty: Hard
Response: See page 408
Ref: Determining Sample Size for Probability Samples
Learning Objective 14.2: To discover methods for determining sample size.

11. Which of the following statements about sample size is false?

a. There is no direct relationship between population size and the size of the
sample required to estimate population parameters.
b. The larger the sample variance, the larger the sample size that is required.
c. The higher the level of confidence, the larger the sample size that is
required.
d. The larger the population, the larger the sample size that is required.
e. All of the above statements are false.

Ans: D
Difficulty: Hard
Response: See page 420
Ref: Determining Sample Size
Learning Objective 14.4: To understand population, sample, and sampling
distributions.

12. Holding constant at a 95% level of confidence, if the standard deviation increases,
then the sample size required to represent the population in question will be
_______.
a. larger
b. about the same
c. smaller
d. not applicable

Ans: A
Difficulty: Hard
Response: See page 417

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Ref: Determining Sample Size
Learning Objective 14.4: To understand population, sample, and sampling
distributions.

13. As the level of tolerable error increases in the sample means formula, the sample
size required to represent a particular population is:
a. smaller.
b. larger.
c. about the same.
d. none of the above

Ans: A
Difficulty: Medium
Response: See page 417
Ref: Determining Sample Size
Learning Objective 14.4: To understand population, sample, and sampling
distributions.

14. Which of the following are not required to determine sample size using the
sample means formula?
a. the standard error of the mean
b. desired level of confidence
c. estimate of population standard deviation
d. level of tolerable error
e. All of the above are required.

Ans: A
Difficulty: Medium
Response: See page 417
Ref: Determining Sample Size
Learning Objective 14.2: To discover methods for determining sample size.

15. Which of the following is not a method for estimating the population standard
deviation?
a. prior study results
b. conduct a pilot study
c. use secondary data
d. using population size

Ans: D
Difficulty: Medium
Response: See page 418
Ref: Determining Sample Size

5
Learning Objective 14.4: To understand population, sample, and sampling
distributions.

16. ____________ is a range of values within which the true population value is
estimated to fall.
a. Interval estimate
b. Point estimate
c. Population estimate
d. Sample estimate
e. none of the above

Ans: A
Difficulty: Hard
Response: See page 416
Ref: Sampling Distribution of the Mean
Learning Objective 14.5: To distinguish between point and interval estimates.

17. Which of the following is not a measure of central tendency?

a. variance
b. mean
c. median
d. mode

Ans: A
Difficulty: Medium
Response: See page 409
Ref: Normal Distribution
Learning Objective 14.3: To gain an appreciation of a normal distribution.

18. Standard error of the mean is:

a. a measure of dispersion of a large population.
b. a measure of dispersion of large sample.
c. the standard deviation of a distribution of sample means.
d. the error in the computation of population standard deviation.
e. none of the above

Ans: C
Difficulty: Hard
Response: See page 411
Ref: Sampling Distribution of the Mean
Learning Objective 14.4: To understand population, sample, and sampling
distributions.

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19. All of the statistical methods for determining sample size in this chapter assume
which of the following?
a. a large population
b. a valid questionnaire
c. simple random sampling
d. stratified sampling
e. none of the above

Ans: C
Difficulty: Medium
Response: See pages 408, 417-424
Ref: Determining Sample Size
Learning Objective 14.2: To discover methods for determining sample size.

20. Which of the following would increase the necessary sample size in a study?
a. smaller mean of the variables in question
b. less need for precision
c. need to divide sample into sub-groups
d. larger population
e. none of the above

Ans: C
Difficulty: Hard
Response: See pages 407-408
Ref: Determining Sample Size for Probability Samples
Learning Objective 14:2: To discover methods for determining sample size.

21. About 68% of the area under a standard normal curve covers one _________.
a. mean
b. sample
c. variance
d. standard deviation
e. none of the above

Ans: D
Difficulty: Medium
Response: See page 409
Ref: Normal Distribution
Learning Objective 14.3: To gain an appreciation of a normal distribution.

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22. When a researcher is not sure if people who responded to the survey are different
from those who did not respond, this brings into question the issue of:
a. inappropriate sample size.
b. systematic bias.
c. nonresponse bias.
d. refusal bias.

Ans: C
Difficulty: Easy
Response: See page 414
Ref: Sampling Distribution of the Mean
Learning Objective 14.4: To understand population, sample, and sampling
distributions.

23. A ____________ normal distribution is a normal distribution with a mean of zero

and a standard deviation of one.

a. Balanced
b. Standard
c. Stock
d. Ordinary

Ans: B
Difficulty: Medium
Response: See page 410
Ref: Normal Distribution
Learning Objective 14.3: To gain an appreciation of a normal distribution.

24. The _____________ includes all the possible individuals or objects from whom
or about which information is needed to meet the objectives of the research.

a. Group
b. Selection
c. Population
d. Range

Ans: C
Difficulty: Medium
Response: See page 411
Ref: Population and Sample Distributions
Learning Objective 14.4: To understand population, sample, and sampling
distributions.

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25. ___________ sampling error is the amount of sampling error the researcher is
willing to accept.

a. Given
b. Projected
c. Accepted
d. Allowable

Ans: D
Difficulty: Easy
Response: See page 418
Ref: Determining Sample Size
Learning Objective 14.2: To discover methods for determining sample size.

True/False
26. The greater the number of subgroups to be analyzed, the smaller the necessary
sample size.

Ans: False
Difficulty: Medium
Response: See page 407-408
Ref: Determining Sample Size for Probability Samples
Learning Objective 14.2: To discover methods for determining sample size.

27. In a normal distribution, the mean, median, and mode are equal.

Ans: True
Difficulty: Medium
Response: See page 409
Ref: Normal Distribution
Learning Objective 14.3: To gain an appreciation of a normal distribution.

28. If large enough samples are taken, most human behavior can be plotted using a
normal distribution curve.

Ans: True
Difficulty: Easy
Response: See page 408
Ref: Normal Distribution
Learning Objective 14.3: To gain an appreciation of a normal distribution.

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29. Theoretically, the sampling distribution of the mean is always normally
distributed.

Ans: True
Difficulty: Hard
Response: See page 411
Ref: Sampling Distribution of the Mean
Learning Objective 14.3: To gain an appreciation of a normal distribution.

30. Population size is the most important determinant of effective sample size.

Ans: False
Difficulty: Hard
Response: See page 417
Ref: Determining Sample Size
Learning Objective 14.2: To discover methods for determining sample size.

31. A normal distribution has a total of 6 standard deviations.

Ans: True
Difficulty: Medium
Response: See page 409
Ref: Normal Distribution
Learning Objective 14.3: To gain an appreciation of a normal distribution.

32. The level of tolerable error (e) in the sample proportions formula is expressed in
terms of a percent.

Ans: True
Difficulty: Hard
Response: See page 419
Ref: Determining Sample Size
Learning Objective 14.2: To discover methods for determining sample size.

33. Some normal distributions cannot be transformed into standard normal

distributions.

Ans: False
Difficulty: Hard
Response: See page 410
Ref: Normal Distribution
Learning Objective 14.3: To gain an appreciation of a normal distribution.

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34. A range of values with which the true population value is estimated to fall is
known as the point estimate.

Ans: False
Difficulty: Medium
Response: See page 415
Ref: Sampling Distribution of the Mean
Learning Objective 14.5: To distinguish between point and interval estimates.

35. A confidence interval always includes the true population value.

Ans: True
Difficulty: Medium
Response: See page 416
Ref: Sampling Distribution of the Mean
Learning Objective 14.4: To understand population, sample, sampling distributions.

36. Budget is rarely a consideration when determining sample size.

Ans: False
Difficulty: Easy
Response: See page 407
Ref: Determining Sample Size for Probability Samples
Learning Objective 14.2: To discover methods for determining sample size.

37. Subgroups are often chosen based on demographics of the sample, such as gender,
income, etc.

Ans: True
Difficulty: Medium
Response: See page 408
Learning Objective 14.2: To discover methods for determining sample size.

38. If a researcher takes enough samples, the data will begin to approach a normal
distribution.

Ans: True
Difficulty: Medium
Response: See page 408
Ref: Normal Distribution
Learning Objective 14.3: To gain an appreciation of a normal distribution.

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39. The “budget available” approach forces the researcher to explore alternative data-
collection approaches and to carefully consider the value of information in
relation to cost.

Ans: True
Difficulty: Medium
Response: See page 407
Ref: Determining Sample Size for Probability Samples
Learning Objective 14.2: To discover methods for determining sample size.

40. The total area under a normal curve is not equal to one, meaning all observations.

Ans: False
Difficulty: Medium
Response: See page 409
Ref: Normal Distribution
Learning Objective 14.3: To gain an appreciation of a normal distribution.

41. The finite population correction factor (FPC) is an adjustment to the required
sample size that is made in cases where the sample is expected to be equal to 5
percent or more of the total population.

Ans: True
Difficulty: Medium
Response: See page 422
Ref: Determining Sample Size
Learning Objective 14.2: To discover methods for determining sample size.

42. Statistical power is the probability of making a type II error.

Ans: False
Difficulty: Medium
Response: See page 424
Ref: Statistical Power
Learning Objective 14.1: To learn the financial and statistical issues in the
determination of sample size.

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Essay Questions

43. Assuming the research objectives of the study can be accomplished, researchers
would much prefer to estimate the required sample size using the sample
proportion formula rather than the sample means formula. Why?

Ans: The sample means formula requires that the researcher make an estimate of the
population standard deviation. Since most studies are “new” studies, the
researcher will probably have to invest some time in estimating the population
standard deviation, usually via a pilot sample. The sample proportions formula
requires no such estimate from a pilot study.

Difficulty: Hard
Response: See pages 417-420
Ref: Sampling Distribution of the Mean
Learning Objective 14.4: To understand population, sample, and sampling
distributions.

44. Compute the required sample size given the required confidence in the sample
results is 90%. The level of tolerable sampling error is 1% and the estimated
population standard deviation is 5.

Ans: The required sample size given the above requirements, using the sample means
formula, would be 1,353.
Difficulty: Medium
Response: See page 417
Ref: Determining Sample Size
Learning Objective 14.1: To learn the financial and statistical issues in the
determination of sample size.

45. A researcher is conferring with a client to do a telephone interview for a particular

topic, which the researcher will subcontract to a field services firm for $10 per
usable response. The researcher’s client wants to be 95.44% confident of the
results. Assume the sample proportions formula is appropriate, and that the level
of tolerable sample error is 4%. The budget for data collection only offered by
the client can be up to but not over $10,000. How many usable responses are
needed for the given level of confidence and much will the subcontractor charge
the market researcher for sampling? Is the budget for data collection large
enough?

Ans: 1) Sample proportions formula is appropriate.

2) 95% confidence equals of Z-value of 2
2) Computed sample size would be 625 usable responses

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 3) Cost of sampling: $10 x 625 = $6,250
4) Data Collection budget is $10,000
5) The budget is large enough
Difficulty: Hard
Ref: Determining Sample Size
Learning Objective 14.1: To learn the financial and statistical issues in the
determination of sample size.

46. A researcher wants to estimate the percentage of all adults that have used the
Internet to seek pre-purchase information in the past 30 days, with a tolerable
sampling error (E) of 0.03 and a confidence level of 97.5%. If secondary data
indicated that 25% of all adults had used the Internet for such a purpose, what is
the sample size?

Ans: 1) at 97.5% confidence, Z = 2.24

2) sample proportions formula is appropriate
3) P = .25; 1 – P = .75
4) Tolerable Error = .03
5) Computed Sample size of 1,046 (rounded up)
Difficulty: Hard
Ref: Determining Sample Size
Learning Objective 14.1: To learn the financial and statistical issues in the
determination of sample size.

47. A researcher wants to estimate a population mean. The level of tolerable

sampling error is 0.2 of a purchase occasion, with a confidence level of 95.44%.
If the estimated population variance is 5 for the most important question in the
study, what is the desired sample size?

Ans: 1) at 95.44% confidence, Z = 2

2) sample means formula is appropriate
3) Variance = 5
4) Tolerable Error = .2
5) Computed Sample size of 500
Difficulty: Hard
Ref: Determining Sample Size
Learning Objective 14.1: To learn the financial and statistical issues in the
determination of sample size.

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