Learning Objectives
After reading this chapter, you should be able to
- Explain the difference between a sample and a census.
- Define the key terms used in sampling (representative sample, generalize, element, statistic, parameter, and so forth).
- Compare and contrast the different random sampling techniques.
- Know which sampling techniques are equal probability of selection methods.
- Draw a simple random sample.
- Draw a systematic sample.
- Explain the difference between proportional and disproportional stratified sampling.
- Explain the characteristics of one-stage and two-stage cluster sampling.
- List and explain the characteristics of the different nonrandom sampling techniques.
- Explain the difference between random selection and random assignment.
- List the factors that you should consider when determining the appropriate sample size to be selected when using random sampling.
- Discuss sampling in qualitative research and compare and contrast the different sampling techniques used in qualitative research.
- Explain the two criteria that produce the ten methods of sampling in mixed research.