As the 1990s came to a close, the U.S. economy was booming. One of the consequences was an ultra-tight labor market in which companies struggled to find, attract, and retain good employees. To help employers better understand what employees value, Fort Lauderdale-based Interim Services, Inc. surveyed a random sample of 1,000 employees in the U.S. One question they asked was, "If your employer provides you with mentoring opportunities are you likely to remain in your job for the next five years'?" They found that 620 members of the sample said "yes." (HRMagazine, Sept. 1999)

a. Identify the population of interest to Interim Services, Inc.

b. Based on the question posed by Interim Services, Inc., what is the variable of interest?

c. Is the variable quantitative or qualitative? Explain.

d. Describe the sample.

e. What inference can be made from the results of the survey?