After reading this chapter, you should be able to:
1 Explain why researchers select samples that are representative of a population of interest.
2 Distinguish between subjects and participants as terms used to describe those who are subjected to procedures in a research study.
3 Distinguish between probability sampling methods and nonprobability sampling methods.
4 Delineate two nonprobability sampling methods: convenience sampling and quota sampling.
5 Delineate four probability sampling methods: simple random sampling, stratified random sampling, systematic sampling, and cluster sampling.
6 Define and explain sampling error and the standard error of the mean.
7 Define and explain sampling bias and nonresponse bias.
8 Identify potential ethical concerns related to sampling from subject pools in human participant research.
9 Compute an estimate for the standard error of the mean, and compute the one-sample t test using SPSS.