Question

The California State University (CSU) system consists of 23 campuses, from San Diego State in the south to Humboldt State near the Oregon border. A CSU administrator wishes to make an inference about the average distance between the hometowns of students and their campuses. Describe and discuss several different sampling methods that might be employed. (Select all that apply.) There are no potential problems with self reporting of distances.

Answer 1

1)The sample could be generated by taking a stratified random sample by taking a simple random sample from each of the 23 campuses and again asking each student in the sample to report the distance from their hometown to campus.

2)One could take a simple random sample of students from all students in the California State University system and ask each student in the sample to report the distance from their hometown to campus.

3)Certain problems arise with self reporting of distances, such as recording error or poor recall.

Explanation:

1)The sample could be generated by taking a stratified random sample by taking a simple random sample from each of the 23 campuses and again asking each student in the sample to report the distance from their hometown to campus.

2)One could take a simple random sample of students from all students in the California State University system and ask each student in the sample to report the distance from their hometown to campus.

3)Certain problems arise with self reporting of distances, such as recording error or poor recall.