PR212Q2M1WK1-2 - Research Design and Sampling

What I Need to Know

This module solely focuses on research designs and sampling particularly on the
designs and methods applicable in quantitative research. It contains a pre-assessment to
determine the prior level of your knowledge about the topic. In addition, it also comprises
fundamental concepts under lesson proper which you will be reading carefully and
understand well for you to answer correctly the various activities provided for. Further, a
generalization was also included for you to make a summary regarding your significant
learning. 

It is a technique of selecting individual SAMPLING

members or a subset of the population to
make statistical inferences from them and
estimate the characteristics of the whole
population.
It constitutes the blueprint for the RESEARCH DESIGN
collection, measurement, and analysis of
data. 
A type of quantitative research design that DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH
seeks to describe the current status of a
variable or phenomenon.
A type of sampling where the research has PROBABILITY SAMPLING
a significant measure of control over who
is selected and on the selection methods
for choosing them.
A research design that explores the CORRELATIONAL DESIGN
relationship between variables using
statistical analyses.
Voluntary sampling enables the FALSE
researchers to use their judgement to
choose people that are presented or are
available that best meet their objectives or
their target groups.
An in-text citation is necessary for writing FALSE
the research design of a research paper.
 Identifying the appropriate research design TRUE
applicable in the study undertaken is
necessary and it is the first step in writing
the research design.
Building up a sample through informants TRUE
is called snowball sampling. Researchers
start with one person - who then suggests
another and so on.
The primary purpose of the sample is to TRUE
make statistical inferences about the
population.

What's In

In Practical Research 1, you have learned various qualitative research designs and
sampling techniques applicable for a qualitative research study. Also, various key concepts
were explained as it is needed in writing the research methodology. As a review, search the
listed words associated with research design and sampling. The words can be found
horizontally, diagonally, and vertically. 

What Is It - Lesson 1: Quantitative Research Designs

The research design refers to the overall strategy that a researcher will choose to
integrate the different components of the study in a coherent and logical way. It constitutes
the blueprint for the collection, measurement, and analysis of data. As they say: "To design
means to plan; a design is a plant itself", therefore, a research design is a detailed plan for
the conduct of research, integrating the different components of the research project in a
cohesive and coherent way (Trochim and Land, 1982; Manheim, 1977). 
 LESSON 1: QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH DESIGN

Research designs are plans and procedures for research that span the decisions
from broad assumptions to detailed methods of data collection and analysis. This plan
involves several decisions, and they need not to be taken in the order in which they make
sense to me and the order of their presentation here. The overall decision involves which
design should be used to study a topic. Informing this decision should be the worldview
assumptions the researcher brings to the study; procedures of inquiry (called strategies);
and specific methods of data collection, analysis, and interpretation. The selection of a
research design is also based on the nature of the research problem or issue being
addressed, the researchers' personal experiences, and the audience for the study. Take note
that a research method is just part of the research design.

What Is It - Types of Quantitative Research Designs

What Is It - Types of Quantitative Research Designs

What Is It - Steps in Writing a Research Design

NOTE: Simply put/merge the examples given above in every step to come up with a
paragraph for research design
 PR212Q2M1WK1-2 - Research Design and Sampling

What Is It - Lesson 2: Population and Sampling

Researchers usually cannot make direct observations of every individual in the

population they are studying. Instead, they collect data from a subset of individuals - a
sample - and use those observations to make inferences about the entire population.

Ideally, the sample corresponds to the larger population on the characteristic(s) of

interest. In that case, the researcher's conclusions from the sample are probably applicable
to the entire population.

Sampling occurs when researchers examined a portion or sample of a larger group

of potential participants and use the results to make statements that apply to this broader
group or population. The extent to which the research findings can be generalized or
applied to the larger group or population is an indication of the external validity of the
research design. The process of choosing/selecting a sample is an integral part of designing
sound research. An awareness of the principles of sampling design is imperative to the
development of research with strong external validity.

Let's take the example of COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials. It is very difficult to
conduct trials on the entire population, as it deals with time, money, and resources. So in
research methodologies, sampling is a method that helps researchers to infer information
about a population based on results from a subset of the population, without having to
investigate every individual.

What Is It - Population versus Sample

Population versus Sample - What is the difference?

Usually, a sample of the population is used in research, as it is easier and cost-

effective to process a smaller subset of the population rather than the entire group. Read
and understand the content of the table below or take a closer look at the difference
between sample and population.
 Although population and ample are two different terms, they are both related to
each other. The population is used to draw samples. To make statistical inferences about the
population is the primary purpose of the sample. Without the population, samples can't
exist. Thus, the better the quality of the sample re

What Is It - Types of Sampling

What Is It - Size and Sampling

Formulas are also being established for the computation of an acceptable sample
size. The common formula is Slovin's Formula.

In a positivistic study, when seeking the views of a group of fifty or less, Henry
(1990) argues against any form of sampling. He argues that you should distribute
questionnaires and collect data to the entire population, if possible.

To elicit the views of larger groups, some form of sampling is usually necessary to
attempt to gather opinions that are likely to be representative of the whole group.

What Is It - Bias in Sampling

There are five important potential sources of bias that should be considered when
selecting a sample, irrespective of the method used. Sampling bias may be introduced
when:

1. any pre-agreed sampling rules are deviated from

2. people in hard-to-reach groups are omitted
3. selected individuals are replaced with others, for example, if they are difficult to
contact
4. there are low response rates
5. an out-of-date list is used as the sample frame (for example, if it excludes people
who have recently moved to an area)
STEPS/CONSIDERATIONS IN WRITING SAMPLING

Choose True if the statement is correct and False if it is incorrect.

Research design selection needs to TRUE

consider the capability of the researcher
and the audience of the study.
Research design means crafting a plan to TRUE
be followed in the research process.
A series of decisions is necessary for TRUE
selecting the research design of the study.
A sample corresponds to the larger FALSE
population on the characteristic(s) of
interest.
Sampling occurs when researchers TRUE
examine a portion of a larger group of
potential participants and use the results to
make statements that apply to this broader
group or population.
The sample is a subset of a population. TRUE
Correlation between attitude and academic CORRELATIONAL DESIGN
performance.
Determine the general IQ of learners in a DESCRIPTIVE DESIGN
certain school.
Survey regarding the preferred National DESCRIPTIVE DESIGN
Television Program in Benguet Province.
Determine the effectiveness of fermented EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
chicken manure in the growth and
development of cabbages in Benguet when
sprayed
Determine the cause and effect of QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL
misbehavior in the classroom.
Identify the appropriate main methods of sampling to be used in a given scenario.

1. A researcher has a population of 100 third-grade children from a local school district
from which a sample of 2 children is to be selected. Each child's name is put on a list, and
each child is assigned a number from 1 to 100. Then the numbers 1 to 100 are written on
separate pieces of paper and shuffled. Finally, the researcher picks 25 slips of paper and the
numbers on the paper determine the 25 participants. SIMPLE RANDOM SAMPLING

2. A sample of 2,000 was sought to estimate the average achievement in science of fifth
grades in a city's public schools. The average fifth-grade enrollment in the city's elementary
schools is 100 students. Thus, 20 schools were randomly selected and within each of those
schools, all fifth graders were tested.

3. A sociologist conducts an opinion survey in a major city. Part of the research plan calls
for describing and comparing the opinions of four different ethnic groups. African
Americans, Asian Americans, European Americans, and Native Americans. For a total
sample of 300, the researcher selects 75 participants from each of the four predetermined
subgroups. CLUSTER

4. Say you were interested in sampling students who deal with betel nuts on campus. What
sampling technique could you use to build this sample? PURPOSIVE

5. Teachers teaching research methods are interested in knowing what study techniques
their students are utilizing. Rather than assessing all students, the researchers randomly
select 10 students from each of the sections to comprise their sample.