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.