Learning Objectives

  1. Identify the circumstances that make sampling unnecessary and the reason they are rare.
  2. Identify the relation between the desired sample, the obtained sample, the sampling frame, and sample quality.
  3. Define and distinguish probability and nonprobability sampling and both techniques’ relationship to sample generalizability.
  4. Define the major types of probability sampling, and indicate when each is preferred.
  5. Explain when nonprobability sampling methods may be preferred.
  6. Understand what units of analysis are and how errors can be made when generalizing from one unit of analysis to another.