How Do Sociologists Know If the Sample They Are Using

question 67

Multiple Choice

How do sociologists know if the sample they are using is representative?

• A) If the people in the sample freely volunteered to serve as representatives
• B) If the sample has an even number, decided by the researcher, of people from several different categories or backgrounds
• C) If the sample has the same mix of people, in the same proportions, as the population being studied
• D) If the participants have been interviewed to reveal possible bias

---

Definitions:

Alternative Hypothesis

The hypothesis that proposes a specific relationship between variables, contrary to the null hypothesis.

Directional Hypothesis

A hypothesis that specifies the direction of the expected difference or relationship between two variables.

Null Hypothesis

A statement in statistics that there is no significant difference or effect, and any observed difference is due to sampling or experimental error.

Alternative Hypothesis

A statistical hypothesis that suggests a difference or effect, opposite to the null hypothesis.