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Distinguish between nonsampling error and sampling error.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Sampling error arises from natural sample variation, while nonsampling error stems from mistakes in data collection and processing.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Sampling Error

Sampling error occurs due to the natural variation that arises when a sample is taken from a larger population. This type of error is the difference between the sample statistic and the actual population parameter purely due to chance.
02

Examples of Sampling Error

Sampling error can be illustrated by considering two different samples taken from the same population, which may produce different means. This difference doesn’t arise from a mistake but from the inherent randomness of sampling.
03

Understanding Nonsampling Error

Nonsampling error includes all other errors that can occur in a study besides sampling error. These errors can happen at any stage of the survey process and are not due to the act of sampling itself.
04

Types of Nonsampling Error

Examples of nonsampling errors include measurement errors, data recording errors, biases from questionnaire design, nonresponse errors, and processing errors. These can arise from human mistakes, flawed procedures, or inaccurate data collection methods.
05

Comparison of Sampling and Nonsampling Errors

The key difference is that sampling error is inherent to the process of sampling and can be reduced by increasing the sample size. Nonsampling error, however, relates to issues in the survey or data collection process itself and must be minimized through careful planning and execution.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

sampling error
Sampling errors occur when the sample chosen from the population doesn’t perfectly represent the entire population. This type of error is due to random variation and chance.
Whenever you take a sample from a larger group, it’s unlikely to perfectly match the entire population’s actual parameters. The differences between the sample and the population are what we call sampling errors.
Imagine taking two different samples from the same population. Both will likely have different means because of the randomness involved. This doesn’t result from any mistakes. It's just a natural part of the sampling process.
For example, if you survey a small group to estimate the average height of people in a city, the results will vary each time you take a new sample.
nonsampling error
Nonsampling errors are all the other kinds of mistakes that can happen during a survey, from beginning to end. They’re different from sampling errors because they don’t result from the act of sampling itself.
These errors can happen because of human mistakes, incorrect data collection methods, or even poor study design.
For instance, if a questionnaire asks confusing questions, respondents might not understand and give incorrect answers. This would introduce a nonsampling error.
  • Measurement errors
  • Data recording errors
  • Bias from poorly designed questionnaires
  • Nonresponse errors
  • Processing errors
All of these fall under nonsampling errors and can be minimized with careful survey design and execution.
survey process errors
Survey process errors happen at various stages throughout the survey. These errors aren't related to how the sample is drawn.
They stem from issues in how the survey is conducted, from the initial design to the final data analysis. These errors include:
  • Designing flawed questionnaires
  • Training interviewers poorly
  • Using inappropriate data collection methods
For example, if interviewers are not well-trained, they might misinterpret responses or enter data wrongly, leading to inaccuracies in the results.
It's crucial to have a well-thought-out process to avoid these errors and ensure the survey's accuracy.
data collection errors
Data collection errors are specific types of nonsampling errors that occur during the actual gathering of data. These errors can significantly affect your survey results.
These errors can arise from different sources:
  • Respondents' misunderstanding questions
  • Interviewers recording responses incorrectly
  • Technical failures during data collection
For instance, if a respondent misreads or misinterprets a survey question and gives a wrong answer, this is a data collection error. Proper training for interviewers and clear questions can help minimize these mistakes.
sample size impact
The size of your sample can significantly impact the amount and type of errors in your survey.
Larger samples tend to have smaller sampling errors because they better represent the population.
However, increasing the sample size alone won't reduce nonsampling errors. To minimize nonsampling errors, you need good study design and execution practices.
It's important to balance the sample size to manage both types of errors efficiently.
While larger samples improve the accuracy of the results through reduced sampling error, attention to detail in the survey process and data collection will help keep nonsampling errors at bay.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Surveys tend to suffer from low response rates. Based on past experience, a researcher determines that the typical response rate for an e-mail survey is \(40 \% .\) She wishes to obtain a sample of 300 respondents, so she e-mails the survey to 1500 randomly selected e-mail addresses. Assuming the response rate for her survey is \(40 \%,\) will the respondents form an unbiased sample? Explain.

True or False: Generally, the goal of an experiment is to determine the effect that treatments will have on the response variable.

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The General Social Survey asked, "About how often did you have sex in the past 12 months?" About \(47 \%\) of respondents indicated they had sex at least once a week. In an internet survey for a marriage and family wellness center, respondents were asked, "How often do you and your partner have sex (on average)?" About \(31 \%\) of respondents indicated they had sex with their partner at least once a week. Explain how the delivery method for such a question could result in biased responses.

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