Kristylle Marie N.

Abelardo Psychological Statistics Chapter 5

January 21,2014

1. Before studying statistics, what were your beliefs about surveys and polls? Before I had knowledge about statistics, survey, for me is a set of questions that are used by researchers in order to collect data and information about individuals. While polls, are a simple and small set of questions that can be answered by a set of options. Polls are usually seen in news sites, and sport sites. I think surveys are more comprehensive than polls since it can cover a wide range of topics and is open-ended rather than a poll that is usually small and quick, and can limit a response since it has given options for a person to choose. 2. What is quota sampling? A Non-Probability form of sampling where a researcher uses this technique choosing a sample that reflects the numerical composition of various subgroups in the population. This method was used before 1948. In quota sampling, interviewers were assigned a fixed number of persons to interview, with strict quotas to fill in all categories that seemed important, such as residence, sex, age, race, and economic status. In these, they were able to interview freely whomever they like. Quota sampling is useful when time is limited, sampling frame is not available, research budget is very tight or when detailed accuracy is not important. You can also choose how many of each category is selected. 3. What is probability method? Probability method is used in all survey organizations since 1948. It refers to selecting individuals to include in a study where each member of the population has an equal chance of being selected. Each person selected would have to be found, in diversely scattered locales. When doing research on a large population, it is often impractical to study every single member of the group. Instead, we look at a portion or sample of the population. Probability sampling refers to methods of selecting individuals to include in a study where each member of the population has an equal chance of being selected. 4. Differentiate random sampling and cluster sampling. One of the best ways to achieve unbiased results in a study is through random sampling. Random sampling includes choosing subjects from a population through unpredictable means. In its simplest form, subjects all have an equal chance of being selected out of the population

being researched. In random sampling, three methods are most common when conducting surveys. Random number tables, more recently known as random number generators, tell researchers to select subjects at an interval generated randomly. Mathematical algorithms for pseudo-random number generators may also be used. Random sampling is a quick and easy way to obtain unbiased results about a population being surveyed. Because many other methods of surveying can come with a huge risk of bias, random sampling is often a top choice when designing surveys. Despite the margin of error that comes with any survey, random sampling is the best way to get the most accurate information (http://www.randomsampling.org/). Cluster sampling is a sampling technique used when "natural" groupings are evident in a statistical population. It is often used in marketing research. In this technique, the total population is divided into these groups (or clusters) and a sample of the groups is selected. Then the required information is collected from the elements within each selected group. This may be done for every element in these groups or a subsample of elements may be selected within each of these groups. A common motivation for cluster sampling is to reduce the average cost per interview (http://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/Cluster_sampling.html).