Question

Research question: Amongst all Penn State students, do traditional-age students and adult learners differ in terms of their grade point averages (GPA)?

Researchers are going to collect data from 1,000 Penn State students. They will call each student to ask whether they identify as a traditional-age student or as an adult learner. They will also ask each student for their GPA (scale of 0 to 4.0).

9. Describe how researchers could use a convenience sampling method to obtain a sample of 1,000 Penn State students. In other words, describe the procedures of obtaining a convenience sample in this scenario. [8 points) In this study, the researchers could obtain a convenience sample by.... 10. Describe how researchers could use a simple random sampling method to obtain a sample of 1,000 Penn State students. In other words, describe the procedures of obtaining a simple random sample in this scenario. [8 points) In this study, the researchers could obtain a simple random sample by.... 11. In order to obtain a sample that is representative of the intended population, should researchers use the convenience sampling method from question 9 or the simple random sampling method from question 10? Explain why. [8 points) 12. Using this scenario, describe an example of response bias. [8 points] Response bias would occur in this study if... 13. Using this scenario, describe an example of non-response bias. [8 points] Non-response bias would occur in this study if...

Answer 1

(9)

In this study the researchers could obtain a convenience sample by going to the Conference Center at the Penn State Great Valley and meet the first availble 1,000 students and collect data on whether they identify as a traditional-age student or as an adult learner. They will also ask each student for their GPA (scale of 0 to 4.0).

(10)

In this study the researchers could obtain a Simple Random Sample as follows:

Step 1: From the Register of all the students avaiable at the office of Penn State Great Valley give each student a serial number starting from 1.

Step 2: Through Randum Number Generator by computer, obtain 1000 random numbers from 1 to thetotal number ofstudents.

Step 3:The students with the serial numbers selected constitute Simple Random Sample .

(11)

In order to obtain a sample that is representative of the intended population, the researchers should use the simple random sampling method from question 10 because in simple random sampling method   evry student has the same probability of getting into the sample, whereas convenience sample is anon-probability sampling method.

(12)

Response bias would occur in this study if the questionnaire is not kept confidential and if the interviewer asks the student about his GPA in presence of his friends, the student will not give his actual GPA if it is very low to keep up his image.

(13)

Non- response bias would occur in this study if there is no incentive or complusion to answer the questionnaire because they just will not take the trouble to go throgh the questionnaire and fillup correctly.