Exam (elaborations)
IOP2601 Assignment 3 Semester 1 Memo |
Due 29 April 2025
Course
Organisational Research Methodology (IOP2601)
Institution
University Of South Africa (Unisa)
Book
Numbers, Hypothesis & Conclusions
IOP2601 Assignment 3 Semester 1 Memo | Due 29 April 2025. All questions
fully answered.
QUESTION 1 [9] Read the statements/questions carefully before you answer.
1.1 Why is a sample often used instead of the entire population? (1)
1.1 A sample is often used instead of the entire population because it is more practical, time-
efficient, and cost-effective to study a smaller group that represents the population, rather
than collecting data from every member of the population.
1.1 A sample is often used instead of studying the entire population because it is usually
impractical, time-consuming, and expensive to collect data from every single member of a
population—especially if the population is very large or spread out geographically. By selecting
a representative sample, researchers can still obtain accurate and reliable insights about the
whole population. In addition, using a sample allows for faster data collection and analysis,
and helps avoid problems like data overload or respondent fatigue. When chosen properly, a
sample can reflect the characteristics of the population, allowing conclusions to be drawn with a
known level of accuracy.
.2 What is the purpose of inferential statistics? (1)
1.2 The purpose of inferential statistics is to make predictions, generalizations, or decisions
about a population based on data collected from a sample. Since it's often not feasible to study an
entire population, inferential statistics uses mathematical techniques to analyze the sample data
and draw conclusions about the larger group. This includes estimating population parameters
(like means or proportions), testing hypotheses, and determining relationships or differences
between variables—all while accounting for uncertainty and the possibility of error.
, 1.3 A _____ test is typically used to test for association between two
categorical variables.
1.3 A Chi-square test is typically used to test for association between two categorical variables.
(1) 1.4 A _____ hypothesis is a negative statement about a possible
difference between the variables that you want to study. (1)
1.4 A null hypothesis is a negative statement about a possible difference between the variables
that you want to study.
1.5 Which of the following activities describes sampling
Sampling is the process of selecting a subset (called a sample) from a larger group (called the
population) in order to gather information and make inferences about the entire population.
🔍 Why Sampling Is Important:
1. Cost-effective: It reduces the resources, time, and money needed compared to surveying
an entire population.
2. Efficient: Enables researchers to collect and analyze data more quickly.
3. Practical: Some populations are too large or inaccessible to study in full.
📚 Key Terms:
Population: The entire group of individuals or items you want to study.
Sample: A smaller group selected from the population.
Sampling frame: A list of elements from which the sample is actually drawn.
Sampling error: The natural variation between a sample result and the true population
value.
🎯 Types of Sampling Methods:
IOP2601 Assignment 3 Semester 1 Memo |
Due 29 April 2025
Course
Organisational Research Methodology (IOP2601)
Institution
University Of South Africa (Unisa)
Book
Numbers, Hypothesis & Conclusions
IOP2601 Assignment 3 Semester 1 Memo | Due 29 April 2025. All questions
fully answered.
QUESTION 1 [9] Read the statements/questions carefully before you answer.
1.1 Why is a sample often used instead of the entire population? (1)
1.1 A sample is often used instead of the entire population because it is more practical, time-
efficient, and cost-effective to study a smaller group that represents the population, rather
than collecting data from every member of the population.
1.1 A sample is often used instead of studying the entire population because it is usually
impractical, time-consuming, and expensive to collect data from every single member of a
population—especially if the population is very large or spread out geographically. By selecting
a representative sample, researchers can still obtain accurate and reliable insights about the
whole population. In addition, using a sample allows for faster data collection and analysis,
and helps avoid problems like data overload or respondent fatigue. When chosen properly, a
sample can reflect the characteristics of the population, allowing conclusions to be drawn with a
known level of accuracy.
.2 What is the purpose of inferential statistics? (1)
1.2 The purpose of inferential statistics is to make predictions, generalizations, or decisions
about a population based on data collected from a sample. Since it's often not feasible to study an
entire population, inferential statistics uses mathematical techniques to analyze the sample data
and draw conclusions about the larger group. This includes estimating population parameters
(like means or proportions), testing hypotheses, and determining relationships or differences
between variables—all while accounting for uncertainty and the possibility of error.
, 1.3 A _____ test is typically used to test for association between two
categorical variables.
1.3 A Chi-square test is typically used to test for association between two categorical variables.
(1) 1.4 A _____ hypothesis is a negative statement about a possible
difference between the variables that you want to study. (1)
1.4 A null hypothesis is a negative statement about a possible difference between the variables
that you want to study.
1.5 Which of the following activities describes sampling
Sampling is the process of selecting a subset (called a sample) from a larger group (called the
population) in order to gather information and make inferences about the entire population.
🔍 Why Sampling Is Important:
1. Cost-effective: It reduces the resources, time, and money needed compared to surveying
an entire population.
2. Efficient: Enables researchers to collect and analyze data more quickly.
3. Practical: Some populations are too large or inaccessible to study in full.
📚 Key Terms:
Population: The entire group of individuals or items you want to study.
Sample: A smaller group selected from the population.
Sampling frame: A list of elements from which the sample is actually drawn.
Sampling error: The natural variation between a sample result and the true population
value.
🎯 Types of Sampling Methods:
