AP Statistics Flashcards: Potential Problems With Sampling

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Potential Problems With Sampling, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Statistics.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What is cluster sampling?

Answer: Dividing population into clusters and randomly selecting clusters. Groups population geographically, then randomly selects entire groups.

Flashcard 2: Identify the issue: Sampling during only one time of day.

Answer: Time bias. Excludes people with different daily schedules or availability.

Flashcard 3: What is a sampling frame?

Answer: A list of elements from which a sample is drawn. The complete listing of all potential sample units.

Flashcard 4: Identify an issue with interviewer bias.

Answer: Bias from influence of interviewer on respondent's answers. Interviewer's presence or characteristics affect participant responses.

Flashcard 5: Identify a sampling method prone to bias.

Answer: Convenience sampling. Uses easily accessible subjects rather than random selection.

Flashcard 6: Find and correct the error: Sampling only high-income areas.

Answer: Error: Income bias. Correction: Sample diverse income areas. Excludes lower-income perspectives and experiences.

Flashcard 7: What can cause data to be skewed?

Answer: Outliers or non-symmetric distribution. Extreme values or asymmetric distribution patterns.

Flashcard 8: Identify a flaw in using only phone surveys.

Answer: Excludes people without phones, leading to bias. Undercoverage of households without landline phones.

Flashcard 9: What is response bias?

Answer: Bias from inaccurate or misleading responses. Responses don't reflect true opinions due to question wording or social pressure.

Flashcard 10: What is meant by the term 'sampling error'?

Answer: The difference between sample statistic and population parameter. Natural variation between any sample and the true population value.

Flashcard 11: What is the best way to ensure sample representativeness?

Answer: Use random sampling methods. Randomization eliminates systematic bias in sample selection.

Flashcard 12: What is the Hawthorne effect in sampling?

Answer: Changes in behavior due to awareness of being observed. Subjects modify natural behavior when they know they're being studied.

Flashcard 13: What is the purpose of random sampling?

Answer: To reduce bias and ensure a representative sample. Every population member has equal chance of selection.

Flashcard 14: What is the impact of high variability in a sample?

Answer: Leads to less precise estimates of population parameters. Wide spread in data reduces confidence in population estimates.

Flashcard 15: What problem arises from using outdated sampling frames?

Answer: Sampling frame does not accurately reflect current population. List doesn't match current population composition.

Flashcard 16: What is the main issue with a small sample size?

Answer: Increased variability and less reliable results. Large sampling error makes conclusions unreliable.

Flashcard 17: Find and correct the error: Sampling only at one location.

Answer: Error: Location bias. Correction: Use multiple locations. Single location excludes geographic diversity in population.

Flashcard 18: What is sampling bias?

Answer: Systematic error due to non-random sample selection. Occurs when sample selection method creates unrepresentative results.

Flashcard 19: What is the solution to reduce nonresponse bias?

Answer: Follow-up with nonrespondents to increase response rate. Multiple contact attempts and incentives improve participation.

Flashcard 20: What can cause data to be skewed?

Answer: Outliers or non-symmetric distribution. Extreme values or asymmetric distribution patterns.

Flashcard 21: Define selection bias.

Answer: Bias from non-random selection of individuals for a sample. Sample doesn't represent population due to flawed selection process.

Flashcard 22: Identify a disadvantage of systematic sampling.

Answer: May introduce bias if there is a pattern in the population. Regular patterns in population can create unrepresentative samples.

Flashcard 23: What problem arises with non-random sampling?

Answer: Leads to biased and unrepresentative samples. Selection process doesn't give all members equal probability.

Flashcard 24: What is the main goal of stratified sampling?

Answer: To ensure subgroups are represented proportionally. Maintains proper representation of population subgroups in sample.

Flashcard 25: What is multistage sampling?

Answer: Combines multiple sampling methods in stages. Uses different sampling methods at different stages of selection.

Flashcard 26: What is the purpose of random sampling?

Answer: To reduce bias and ensure a representative sample. Every population member has equal chance of selection.

Flashcard 27: What is the main challenge in random digit dialing?

Answer: May not reach unlisted or mobile-only households. Coverage gaps exclude segments without traditional phone service.

Flashcard 28: Which bias results from survey participants lying?

Answer: Response bias. Dishonest responses create gap between reported and actual behavior.

Flashcard 29: Define undercoverage in sampling.

Answer: Portion of population is less represented in the sample. Some groups are missed or inadequately included in the sample.

Flashcard 30: What causes voluntary response bias?

Answer: Bias from self-selected participants with strong opinions. Self-selection creates overrepresentation of extreme viewpoints.

Flashcard 31: Which sampling method involves dividing population into strata?

Answer: Stratified sampling. Divides population into homogeneous groups before sampling.

Flashcard 32: What is the effect of using a biased sample?

Answer: Leads to incorrect conclusions about the population. Biased samples produce inaccurate generalizations to population.

Flashcard 33: Identify a problem with sampling during holidays.

Answer: Bias due to atypical population behavior. Unusual circumstances create unrepresentative population behavior.

Flashcard 34: Identify an issue with using volunteers in a sample.

Answer: Voluntary response bias. Self-selection creates samples with extreme or strong opinions.

Flashcard 35: Identify a problem with convenience sampling.

Answer: Prone to bias as it does not represent the entire population. Easy-to-access samples often exclude important population segments.

Flashcard 36: Identify a potential error in sampling process design.

Answer: Failure to randomize selection. Non-random selection introduces systematic bias into results.

Flashcard 37: What happens if the sample size is too large?

Answer: Increased cost and complexity without proportional benefit. Diminishing returns make additional data collection inefficient.

Flashcard 38: Identify the error in sampling only online users.

Answer: Error: Digital divide bias. Excludes populations without internet access or digital literacy.