Chapter 12, Problem 10E

To determine

To identify for the following reports about the statistical studies, the population, the population parameter of interest, the sampling frame, the sample, the sampling method including whether or not randomized was employed and any potential sources of bias you can detect and any problems you see in generalizing to the population of interest.

Explanation of Solution

It is given in the question that hoping to learn what issues resonate with voters in the coming election, the campaign director for a mayoral candidate selects one block from each of the city’s election districts. Thus, from this report we can identify that:

The population will be: City voters.

The population parameter of interest will be: It is not clear.

The sampling frame will be: All city residents.

The sample is: Cluster because the sample is one block from each district.

The sampling method including whether or not randomized was employed is: Convenience sampling within each cluster.

Any potential sources of bias you can detect and any problems you see in generalizing to the population of interest: Parameter of interest in unclear, sampling within clusters is not random.