POPM 3240 CERTIFICATION TEST BANK
2026 COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
● sample. Answer: a subset of the population is evaluated
● why take a sample and not a census?. Answer: -might take a sample
to describe characteristics of a population or analyze relationships
between risk factors and outcomes for an analytical study
-samples may be beneficial over a census because: time, money,
resources, every needs to participate in a census, is a census actually
needed? (lots of data doesn't = good)
● inclusion criteria. Answer: characteristics needed to be eligible for the
study; determined before you start sampling
● exclusion criteria. Answer: characteristics that would exclude or
prevent someone from participating; determined before you start
sampling
● target population. Answer: the population you are aiming to
define/describe; the population to which it might be possible to
extrapolate results
,● source population. Answer: population from which the study subjects
are drawn; we should be able to list all members of this population (list
= sampling frame)
● study population. Answer: the individuals included in the study
● sampling frame. Answer: the list of all eligible members for sampling
(the study population)
● external validity. Answer: how well can the study results be
extrapolated to the target population?
● internal validity. Answer: how well does the study population reflect
the source population?
● sampling strategy determines.... Answer: the nature of any
extrapolations you might make from the sample to the source and/or
target population
● types of non-probability sampling. Answer: convenience, purposive
*usually harder to generalize if using a specific sample
● sample random sampling. Answer: sample a fixed number or
proportion from the population using a formal random process- need the
same probability of being chosen; need to have a sampling frame
, ● systematic random sampling. Answer: need individuals to be in a
sequential order in which they will be sampled according to a sampling
interval = total population size/ required sample size (n); don't need a
complete list
● stratified random sampling. Answer: sampling frame is divided into
defined strata based on factors likely to affect outcome then simple or
systematic random sampling is conducted within each (ex. dog breeds)
● cluster sampling. Answer: randomly select a number of clusters
(groups of individuals with something in common) then select every
individual within the cluster for sampling
● multi-stage sampling. Answer: sampling takes place at both the
cluster level and individual level (sampling only proportion of the
individuals in a cluster)
● when is multi-stage sampling convenient?. Answer: -too many
individuals are in a cluster
-individuals are so similar that you don't need to sample them all
● estimating sample size- too small vs too large?. Answer: *need to
estimate sample size before you start
too small --> might not be able to make any conclusions
2026 COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
● sample. Answer: a subset of the population is evaluated
● why take a sample and not a census?. Answer: -might take a sample
to describe characteristics of a population or analyze relationships
between risk factors and outcomes for an analytical study
-samples may be beneficial over a census because: time, money,
resources, every needs to participate in a census, is a census actually
needed? (lots of data doesn't = good)
● inclusion criteria. Answer: characteristics needed to be eligible for the
study; determined before you start sampling
● exclusion criteria. Answer: characteristics that would exclude or
prevent someone from participating; determined before you start
sampling
● target population. Answer: the population you are aiming to
define/describe; the population to which it might be possible to
extrapolate results
,● source population. Answer: population from which the study subjects
are drawn; we should be able to list all members of this population (list
= sampling frame)
● study population. Answer: the individuals included in the study
● sampling frame. Answer: the list of all eligible members for sampling
(the study population)
● external validity. Answer: how well can the study results be
extrapolated to the target population?
● internal validity. Answer: how well does the study population reflect
the source population?
● sampling strategy determines.... Answer: the nature of any
extrapolations you might make from the sample to the source and/or
target population
● types of non-probability sampling. Answer: convenience, purposive
*usually harder to generalize if using a specific sample
● sample random sampling. Answer: sample a fixed number or
proportion from the population using a formal random process- need the
same probability of being chosen; need to have a sampling frame
, ● systematic random sampling. Answer: need individuals to be in a
sequential order in which they will be sampled according to a sampling
interval = total population size/ required sample size (n); don't need a
complete list
● stratified random sampling. Answer: sampling frame is divided into
defined strata based on factors likely to affect outcome then simple or
systematic random sampling is conducted within each (ex. dog breeds)
● cluster sampling. Answer: randomly select a number of clusters
(groups of individuals with something in common) then select every
individual within the cluster for sampling
● multi-stage sampling. Answer: sampling takes place at both the
cluster level and individual level (sampling only proportion of the
individuals in a cluster)
● when is multi-stage sampling convenient?. Answer: -too many
individuals are in a cluster
-individuals are so similar that you don't need to sample them all
● estimating sample size- too small vs too large?. Answer: *need to
estimate sample size before you start
too small --> might not be able to make any conclusions
