Quiz 8: Sampling Methods: Quantitative and Qualitative

What is sampling bias? Bias resulting from over-representation or under-representation of population segments in a sample. Bias resulting when non-probability sample is drawn. Bias resulting from the inappropriate designation of eligibility criteria. Bias resulting from the use of probability sampling method.

Bias resulting from over-representation or under-representation of population segments in a sample.

Which of following methods reflects a systematic sampling? Choosing the same number of participants from different location Choosing participants randomly from a list until the desired size is achieved Choosing every Nth name from a list Choosing participants who are readily available at an outpatient clinic

Choosing every Nth name from a list

Name the sampling technique of this research example A researcher wants to understand more about the coping strategies of nurses working in a busy hospitals at night. It is not possible, financially or practically, to visit every hospital in the country. However, precision is important as the researcher wants to be able to give an explanation of coping strategies and make predictions about how nurses will cope in a given situation. The researcher decides to choose several specific geographical locations and then obtain a list of all hospitals within each location. Each hospital is assigned a number and a list of hospitals, within each geographical location, is chosen using an online random number generator.

Cluster Sampling. - The subjects are grouped into sub-populations (already existing or created by the researcher) and then each subjects from each sub-population are further chosen randomly.

Which type of sampling is most vulnerable to bias? Convenience Sampling Stratified Sampling Simple Random Sampling Cluster Sampling

Convenience Sampling - Convenience sampling is the most vulnerable to sampling biases. The problem with convenience sampling is that people who are readily available might be atypical of the population.

A nurse researcher recruits study participants by placing a recruitment poster at the entrance to a neurology clinic. What type of sampling did the researcher use? Purposive Sampling Quota Sampling Stratified Sampling Convenience Sampling

Convenience Sampling - In this example, the researcher used the most conveniently available people as study participants. The use of a recruitment poster meant that only people who entered the neurology clinic, took notice of the poster, and then volunteered for the study would become participants. This is not an example of quota, purposive, or consecutive sampling.

Name the sampling technique of this research example A researcher wants to find out what students think of the entertainment facilities on a university campus. He stands by the entrance to the university library and stops students as they pass by, asking a series of questions about the university entertainment facilities. He does this until he has asked the opinion of 100 students.

Convenience Sampling. - Subjects are chosen on the basis of convenience.

Which of the following statements defines sampling? It is the portion of the target population to which the researcher has reasonable access. It is the subset of a population comprising those selected to participate in a study. It is the process of selecting a portion of the population to represent the entire population. It is the number of people who participate in a study.

It is the process of selecting a portion of the population to represent the entire population.

Name the sampling technique of this research example A market researcher wants to find out what members of the public think about a new chocolate bar that has just been produced. He wants to make sure that all sections of the population are represented in the sample, so he works out what major characteristics are important (e.g. gender and age) and then how many people from each of these categories should be sampled. He stands on a street corner and chooses people that fit into each category, until his desired sample size is reached.

Quota Sampling. - according to a quota system based on factors such as age, sex and social class. It is a non-probability sampling as subjects are selected at a non-random method.

Name the sampling technique of this research example A researcher wants to find out about participation in sport among undergraduate students from different subject areas studying at a particular university. It is important to the researcher that he is able to interview students from all subject areas as he wants to find out whether there is a connection between subject studied and participation in sport. He decides to arrange his sample by undergraduate subject and then, within each subject, choose students on a random basis.

Stratified Random Sampling. - It involves the division of a study population into smaller groups known as 'strata'. These groups can differ in behavior or attribute under the study. In this example, 'subject' is the strata identified by the researcher.

Identify the category of sampling for this method: Convenience Sampling Probability Sampling Non-probability Sampling

Non-probability Sampling

Identify the category of sampling for this method: Cluster Sampling Probability Sampling Non-probability Sampling

Probability Sampling

Identify the category of sampling for this method: Simple random sampling Probability Sampling Non-probability Sampling

Probability Sampling

Identify the category of sampling for this method: Stratified Random Sampling Probability Sampling Non-probability Sampling

Probability Sampling

Identify the category of sampling for this method: Purposive Sampling Probability Sampling Non-probability Sampling

Non-probability Sampling

Identify the category of sampling for this method: Quota Sampling Probability Sampling Non-probability Sampling

Non-probability Sampling

Identify the category of sampling for this method: Theoretical Sampling Probability Sampling Non-probability Sampling

Non-probability Sampling

Match the appropriate sampling design with the example sampling information from a study: 50 men and 50 women smokers who responded to a recruitment notice was recruited to a smoking cessation intervention or to a control group. Probability sampling Non-probability sampling

Non-probability sampling

Match the appropriate sampling design with the example sampling information from a study: 80 diabetic patients was approached at an outpatient clinic and were recruited into the research study. Probability sampling. Non-probability sampling.

Non-probability sampling

What is the key difference between probability and non-probability sampling?

Probability sampling uses random selection and is more rigorous. Non-probability sampling uses non-random methods and there is no way to ensure that each element has a chance for inclusion in the sample

Match the appropriate sampling design with the example sampling information from a study: Kane sampled every 25th nurse on a roster of licensed nurses in Florida to study their use of personal digital assistants. The starting number of 12 was selected at random. Probability sampling Non-probability sampling

Probability sampling.

Match the appropriate sampling design with the example sampling information from a study: Marshall randomly selected 250 students from a large university to study their use of drugs and alcohol. Probability sampling Non-probability sampling

Probability sampling.

A researcher is studying the relationship between stress and diet among college students. The researcher recruits students by sending out an e-mail blast, and then includes in the sample the first 100 male and 100 female students who volunteer to participate. What type of sampling did the researcher use? Snowball Sampling Stratified Sampling Quota Sampling Convenience Sampling

Quota Sampling - Quota sampling is similar to convenience sampling, except that the researcher recruits into distinct strata of the population—in this example, strata defined by students' gender. This is not an example of stratified random sampling as the participants are selected by a non-random method.

A researcher was studying nurses' attitudes toward evidence-based practice and sent a questionnaire to a sample of nurses on a membership roster of a professional organization, using probability methods to select the members. What type of sampling did the researcher use? Systematic Sampling Simple Random Sampling Cluster Sampling Stratified Random Sampling

Simple Random Sampling - In this example, the sampling method is simple random sampling, the most basic form of probability sampling. No mention is made of dividing the sample into distinct strata (stratified random), of first sampling larger units such as schools of nursing (multistage sampling), or of selecting elements at fixed intervals from a sampling frame (systematic sampling).

Which is the strongest form of sampling for quantitative studies? Cluster Sampling Convenience Sampling Systematic Sampling Simple Random Sampling

Simple Random Sampling. - This method gives each member of the populaton an equal and known chance of being chosen.Using this procedure, a number is assigned to each individual in the study population. Random numbers are then generated using an online random number generator to select the required sample.

Name the sampling technique of this research example A researcher wants to find out how many children are absent from school in a given month. It is important to ensure that every school in the country has an equal chance of being chosen so that generalizations can be made. He obtains a list of every school, assigns each a number and, using an online random number generator, creates a list of schools to which he can send his questionnaire.

Simple Random Sampling. This method gives each member of the populaton an equal and known chance of being chosen.Using this procedure, a number is assigned to each individual in the study population. Random numbers are then generated using an online random number generator to select the required sample.

Which is a probability sampling method? Systematic Sampling Purposive Sampling Convenience Sampling Quota Sampling

Systematic Sampling - Systematic sampling is the selection of every kth case from a list; it is an example of a probability sampling method when the first case is sampled at random. All of the other responses are for nonprobability sampling methods that do not involve any element of randomness.

Name the sampling technique of this research example A researcher wants to find out about the lunchtime eating habits of workers in a particular car factory. She obtains a list of all employees, chooses a starting number, chooses an interval number and then works through the list, developing her sample list from the employees that appear at the correct interval on the list.

Systematic Sampling. - This method involve the selection of elements from an ordered study population. A starting point is chosen at random, with each subsequent selection made at regular interval.