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Sampling

The document outlines five main types of quantitative research designs: descriptive, correlational, ex post facto, quasi-experimental, and experimental, each serving different purposes in data collection and analysis. It also discusses population, sampling, and methods for determining sample size, including heuristics, literature review, formulas, and power analysis. Additionally, it details probability sampling techniques such as simple random, stratified random, cluster, and systematic sampling to ensure unbiased participant selection.

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3 views2 pages

Sampling

The document outlines five main types of quantitative research designs: descriptive, correlational, ex post facto, quasi-experimental, and experimental, each serving different purposes in data collection and analysis. It also discusses population, sampling, and methods for determining sample size, including heuristics, literature review, formulas, and power analysis. Additionally, it details probability sampling techniques such as simple random, stratified random, cluster, and systematic sampling to ensure unbiased participant selection.

Uploaded by

felicianojoieann
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Quantitative Research Designs

A research design is the overall blueprint or strategy used to systematically


plan data collection and analysis. There are five main types:

 1. Descriptive Research: Describes things as they currently exist in


their natural state. It answers "what is" questions using surveys or
observations without changing any variables.

 2. Correlational Research: Investigates whether two or more


variables are connected or related. Important: It shows patterns, but
does not prove that one thing causes the other.

 3. Ex Post Facto (Comparative) Research: "After the fact" research


that studies the effects of pre-existing conditions or traits that have
already happened. The researcher has no control over these traits and
cannot assign groups randomly.

 4. Quasi-Experimental Research: Tests whether a treatment or


intervention works, but uses pre-existing, intact groups (like an existing
school class) instead of randomly assigning people.

 5. Experimental Research: The strongest design for proving cause-


and-effect. The researcher actively changes one variable and uses
random assignment to place participants into experimental and
control groups.

Part 2: Population and Sampling

 Population: The entire group you want to study.

 Sample: The smaller subset of that population actually participating in


the study.

 Sampling: The actual process used to select your participants to


ensure they fairly represent the whole group.

Determining Sample Size

Researchers find the right number of participants using four main


approaches:

1. Heuristics: Rough rule-of-thumb percentages based on the design


type (e.g., 10–20% for descriptive studies).

2. Literature Review: Checking what sample sizes similar studies used.


3. Formulas: Math calculations like Cochran's Formula or Slovin's
Formula:
N
n= 2
1+ N e
4. Power Analysis: A statistical software-based approach (like G*Power)
to make sure the sample is large enough to spot real differences.

Probability Sampling Techniques

Probability sampling means every single member of the population has a


known, non-zero chance of being chosen, which reduces bias.

 Simple Random Sampling: Every person has an entirely equal


chance of selection, chosen via lottery (fishbowl technique) or random
number generators.

 Stratified Random Sampling: The population is split into subgroups


(strata) based on a trait (like grade levels), and then a random sample
is drawn proportionally from each group.

 Cluster Sampling: Used for massive or geographically spread


populations. Instead of picking individuals, researchers randomly pick
entire natural groups (clusters), like selecting specific districts or
schools.

 Systematic Sampling: Selecting every k th person from a list after


picking a random starting point. The gap is calculated by dividing the
N
total population by the desired sample size (k = ).
n

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