Systematic sampling is a probability sampling method and therefore takes advantage of random assignment to avoid bias. In your answer, please identify and explain one scenario under which a systematic sampling technique would result in a biased sample.

What will be an ideal response?


The answer to this question will vary with the student’s example, but should follow the following line of argument. Systematic sampling may result in a biased sample in at least two situations. One occurs if elements on the list have been ranked according to a characteristic. In that situation the position of the random start will affect the average value of the characteristic for the sample. For example, if students were ranked from the lowest to the highest GPA, a systematic sample with students 1, 51, and 101 would have a lower GPA than a sample with students 50, 100, and 150. Each sample would yield a GPA that presented a biased picture of the student population.

Political Science

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Liberals are often said to fall to the "__________" of the political spectrum

Fill in the blanks with correct word

Political Science

Which of the following is not an organ of the UN?

a. International Court of Justice b. Security Council c. Secretariat d. General Assembly e. Council of Ministers

Political Science

Which of the following is NOT a critique of federal preemption?

a. It leads to less flexibility in regulations and the delivery of public services. b. It hurts the ability of states to experiment with and develop best practices. c. It creates a uniformity of laws and regulations. d. It diminishes the protections that states are able to craft for their citizens.

Political Science

Who wants to make it more difficult for working class and poor people to vote?

A. Democrats B. Republicans C. Socialists D. No one -- Americans of all political parties encourage everyone to vote

Political Science