Which statement best describes a consistent estimator?
Correct answer: C. It approaches the parameter as sample size grows
- A. It always equals the parameter
- B. It has zero variance in every sample
- C. It approaches the parameter as sample size grows
- D. It is necessarily unbiased in small samples
Explanation
An estimator is consistent when its estimates approach the true population parameter as the sample size increases. Consistency does not require the estimator to be exactly correct in every sample or unbiased in small samples.
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About Sampling and Estimation
Sampling covers population and sample, sampling frames, simple random, systematic, stratified, cluster and convenience methods, along with sampling and non-sampling errors. Estimation includes sample statistics, population parameters, point estimates, confidence intervals and margins of error, with attention to how sample size affects precision.
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