Population parameters are difficult to calculate due to
Multiple Choice
A cost prohibitions on data collection.
B the infeasibility of collecting data on the entire population.
C both cost prohibitions on data collection and the infeasibility of collecting data on the entire population.
D the fact that samples are difficult to draw due to the nature of the data.
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is:
C) both cost prohibitions on data collection and the infeasibility of collecting data on the entire population.
Explanation:
Population parameters refer to characteristics (such as the mean, variance, or proportions) of a population. However, calculating these parameters is often very challenging for several reasons.
- Cost Prohibitions on Data Collection:
One of the main challenges in calculating population parameters is the high cost associated with gathering data on the entire population. Collecting data from every individual in a population often requires significant financial resources, time, and manpower. For example, to determine the average income of an entire country, one would need to survey every single person, which would be prohibitively expensive. Therefore, gathering data on a large scale can quickly exceed practical or budgetary constraints. - Infeasibility of Collecting Data on the Entire Population:
Even if there were unlimited resources, collecting data on an entire population is often infeasible due to the size, geographical spread, and logistical challenges involved. Some populations may be too large or dispersed, such as the global population, or difficult to access, such as marginalized groups or those in conflict zones. Additionally, certain populations may not be well-defined or may change over time, making it hard to capture every member at once. In some cases, data might be outdated or not comprehensive enough to represent the entire population accurately.
Because of these factors, researchers generally rely on samples — smaller, manageable subsets of the population — to estimate population parameters. Statistical methods such as sampling allow for estimates that are accurate and cost-effective without the need to collect data from every individual. Therefore, the challenges of cost and feasibility in data collection are key reasons why calculating population parameters directly is often impractical.