Putting It Together: Comparing Sampling Methods Suppose a political strategist wants to get a sense of how American adults aged 18 years or older feel about health care and health insurance.
In a political poll, what would be a good frame to use for obtaining a sample?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of a sampling frame: it is the list or method used to define the population from which a sample is drawn. A good sampling frame should include all members of the target population without excluding any relevant groups.
2. Identify the target population in this problem: American adults aged 18 years or older. The sampling frame should cover this entire group to ensure representativeness.
3. Consider possible sources for the sampling frame, such as voter registration lists, telephone directories, or databases of residents. Evaluate whether these sources include all adults 18+ or if they might exclude certain groups (e.g., unregistered voters, people without landlines).
4. Choose a sampling frame that is as comprehensive and up-to-date as possible, such as a list of all registered voters or a database from a reputable survey organization that includes contact information for adults 18+ across the country.
5. Ensure the sampling frame allows for random selection to avoid bias, so the political strategist can obtain a sample that accurately reflects the opinions of the entire adult population regarding health care and health insurance.

Key Concepts

Sampling Frame

A sampling frame is the list or database from which a sample is drawn. It should closely represent the target population to ensure the sample is relevant and unbiased. For the political poll, the frame must include all American adults aged 18 or older to accurately reflect their opinions.

Sampling Methods

Sampling methods are techniques used to select individuals from the sampling frame. Common methods include simple random sampling, stratified sampling, and cluster sampling. Choosing an appropriate method helps ensure the sample is representative and reduces sampling bias.

Representativeness and Bias

Representativeness means the sample accurately reflects the characteristics of the population. Bias occurs when some groups are over- or under-represented, leading to misleading results. A good sampling frame and method minimize bias to produce valid, generalizable conclusions.