PSY 355 Exam 2 UPDATED Questions and
CORRECT Answers
What was the prediction of the Literary Digest regarding the 1936 presidential election? - CORRECT
ANSWER They predicted a win for Alf Landon by 15%.
Who actually won the 1936 presidential election? - CORRECT ANSWER Franklin D. Roosevelt
won by 24%.
What was the main issue with the Literary Digest's polling method? - CORRECT ANSWER They
used a severely biased sample by polling mainly their own Republican readers.
What is considered the gold standard in research sampling? - CORRECT ANSWER Random
sampling.
What is a probability sample? - CORRECT ANSWER A sample where the likelihood of any
individual being selected can be specified.
What is a non-probability sample? - CORRECT ANSWER A sample where the likelihood of any
individual being selected cannot be specified.
Why are random samples desirable in research? - CORRECT ANSWER They allow researchers to
accurately describe a population.
What does the term 'sampling error' refer to? - CORRECT ANSWER The differences between
sample results and the actual results of the entire population.
What is the margin of error? - CORRECT ANSWER An estimate of how large the sampling error
might be.
,What does a 3% margin of error indicate in polling? - CORRECT ANSWER It means the actual
result could vary by 3% above or below the reported figure.
What is a simple random sample? - CORRECT ANSWER A sample where every member of the
population has an equal chance of being selected.
What is systematic sampling? - CORRECT ANSWER A sampling method where every nth person
or object is selected.
What is stratified random sampling? - CORRECT ANSWER A method where the population is
divided into strata and samples are drawn from each stratum.
What is multi-stage sampling? - CORRECT ANSWER A sampling method used for large
populations where sampling occurs in stages.
What are some common reasons for nonresponse in surveys? - CORRECT ANSWER Lack of time,
illness, disinterest, and survey burnout.
What is misgeneralization in research? - CORRECT ANSWER Generalizing results to a population
that is not represented by the sample.
What is a convenience sample? - CORRECT ANSWER A sample that is easy to obtain, often
consisting of readily available participants.
What is a quota sample? - CORRECT ANSWER A convenience sample where certain types of
participants are obtained in specific proportions.
What is purposive sampling? - CORRECT ANSWER A sampling method where researchers use
past research findings to decide which participants to include.
, Why is a larger sample size generally more desirable in research? - CORRECT ANSWER It
provides more valid results and reduces the margin of error.
What is an A Priori Power Analysis? - CORRECT ANSWER A method to determine the necessary
sample size for a study before data collection.
What is the impact of sample size on the margin of error? - CORRECT ANSWER Larger sample
sizes tend to have smaller margins of error.
What is the role of systematic follow-up in research participation? - CORRECT ANSWER It helps
to increase response rates and ensure valid data collection.
What is the significance of stratified random samples in political polling? - CORRECT
ANSWER They ensure representation across different strata of the population.
How can researchers increase survey participation? - CORRECT ANSWER By offering incentives,
making surveys easy to access, and conducting systematic follow-ups.
What is the relationship between variance of data and margin of error? - CORRECT
ANSWER Higher variance can lead to a larger margin of error due to volatility in responses.
What example illustrates the use of multi-stage sampling? - CORRECT ANSWER The tuna fish
lawsuit where supermarkets and cans were sampled in stages.
What is the significance of using random samples in psychological research? - CORRECT
ANSWER They help to ensure that findings can be generalized to a broader population.
What is the significance of the p-value in research? - CORRECT ANSWER The p-value indicates
how certain we can be that the finding is not due to chance.
CORRECT Answers
What was the prediction of the Literary Digest regarding the 1936 presidential election? - CORRECT
ANSWER They predicted a win for Alf Landon by 15%.
Who actually won the 1936 presidential election? - CORRECT ANSWER Franklin D. Roosevelt
won by 24%.
What was the main issue with the Literary Digest's polling method? - CORRECT ANSWER They
used a severely biased sample by polling mainly their own Republican readers.
What is considered the gold standard in research sampling? - CORRECT ANSWER Random
sampling.
What is a probability sample? - CORRECT ANSWER A sample where the likelihood of any
individual being selected can be specified.
What is a non-probability sample? - CORRECT ANSWER A sample where the likelihood of any
individual being selected cannot be specified.
Why are random samples desirable in research? - CORRECT ANSWER They allow researchers to
accurately describe a population.
What does the term 'sampling error' refer to? - CORRECT ANSWER The differences between
sample results and the actual results of the entire population.
What is the margin of error? - CORRECT ANSWER An estimate of how large the sampling error
might be.
,What does a 3% margin of error indicate in polling? - CORRECT ANSWER It means the actual
result could vary by 3% above or below the reported figure.
What is a simple random sample? - CORRECT ANSWER A sample where every member of the
population has an equal chance of being selected.
What is systematic sampling? - CORRECT ANSWER A sampling method where every nth person
or object is selected.
What is stratified random sampling? - CORRECT ANSWER A method where the population is
divided into strata and samples are drawn from each stratum.
What is multi-stage sampling? - CORRECT ANSWER A sampling method used for large
populations where sampling occurs in stages.
What are some common reasons for nonresponse in surveys? - CORRECT ANSWER Lack of time,
illness, disinterest, and survey burnout.
What is misgeneralization in research? - CORRECT ANSWER Generalizing results to a population
that is not represented by the sample.
What is a convenience sample? - CORRECT ANSWER A sample that is easy to obtain, often
consisting of readily available participants.
What is a quota sample? - CORRECT ANSWER A convenience sample where certain types of
participants are obtained in specific proportions.
What is purposive sampling? - CORRECT ANSWER A sampling method where researchers use
past research findings to decide which participants to include.
, Why is a larger sample size generally more desirable in research? - CORRECT ANSWER It
provides more valid results and reduces the margin of error.
What is an A Priori Power Analysis? - CORRECT ANSWER A method to determine the necessary
sample size for a study before data collection.
What is the impact of sample size on the margin of error? - CORRECT ANSWER Larger sample
sizes tend to have smaller margins of error.
What is the role of systematic follow-up in research participation? - CORRECT ANSWER It helps
to increase response rates and ensure valid data collection.
What is the significance of stratified random samples in political polling? - CORRECT
ANSWER They ensure representation across different strata of the population.
How can researchers increase survey participation? - CORRECT ANSWER By offering incentives,
making surveys easy to access, and conducting systematic follow-ups.
What is the relationship between variance of data and margin of error? - CORRECT
ANSWER Higher variance can lead to a larger margin of error due to volatility in responses.
What example illustrates the use of multi-stage sampling? - CORRECT ANSWER The tuna fish
lawsuit where supermarkets and cans were sampled in stages.
What is the significance of using random samples in psychological research? - CORRECT
ANSWER They help to ensure that findings can be generalized to a broader population.
What is the significance of the p-value in research? - CORRECT ANSWER The p-value indicates
how certain we can be that the finding is not due to chance.
