The seven chapter objectives listed in this module are the same as those found in the opening page of Chapter 4 in the textbook. However, several learning objectives have been written and listed below to help you focus on specific material that is critical to your being able to demonstrate proficiency on the broader chapter objectives. In addition, multiple choice and essay/activity self-assessment items have been written for most of the learning objectives to help assess your knowledge of this material. You can access these items through the Multiple Choice and Essay/Activity modules.
- Identify and describe four random sampling techniques.
| 1.1 | Define the term sampling from a quantitative perspective and identify its purpose.
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| 1.2 | Define the terms target population, accessible population, sample, and subject. |
| 1.3 | Differentiate the term target population from accessible population and give examples of each.
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| 1.4 | Discuss the concepts of representativeness and generalization as related to quantitative sampling.
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| 1.5 | Describe the three fundamental steps in selecting a sample regardless of the specific technique being used.
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| 1.6 | Explain why a population must be defined and each member of the population identified in order to select a random sample.
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| 1.7 | Identify four random sampling techniques.
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| 1.8 | Explain the general rules for determining sample sizes for correlational, causal-comparative, experimental, and descriptive research.
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| 1.9 | Identify five guidelines for determining sample sizes selected from given population sizes. |
multiple choice questions for Objective 1
essay/activity questions for Objective 1
web links for Objective 1
- Select a random sample using a table of random numbers.
| 2.1 | Identify the unique characteristic of a random sample.
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| 2.2 | Describe three advantages of using random samples.
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| 2.3 | Describe the seven steps involved in selecting a random sample and use these to select a random sample. |
multiple choice questions for Objective 2
essay/activity questions for Objective 2
web links for Objective 2
- Identify three variables that can be stratified.
| 3.1 | Define stratified random sampling and describe a situation in which you would use this technique.
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| 3.2 | Describe the reason it is important to used stratified random sampling.
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| 3.3 | Identify three common variables used as strata.
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| 3.4 | Differentiate proportional stratified random sampling from equal sample size stratified random sampling (i.e., non-proportional). |
multiple choice questions for Objective 3
essay/activity questions for Objective 3
- Select stratified samples, cluster samples, and systematic samples.
| 4.1 | Describe the five steps involved in taking a proportional stratified random sample and the five steps involved in taking an equal sample size stratified sample.
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| 4.2 | Use these steps to select a non-proportional stratified sample and an equal sample size stratified sample.
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| 4.3 | Define cluster sampling, identify several common clusters, and describe a situation in which you would use this technique.
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| 4.4 | Describe the eight steps involved in cluster sampling.
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| 4.5 | Use these steps to select a sample.
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| 4.6 | Explain the term multi-stage sampling in the context of cluster sampling.
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| 4.7 | Define systematic sampling and describe a situation in which you would use this technique.
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| 4.8 | Describe the seven steps involved in systematic sampling.
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| 4.9 | Identify the advantages and disadvantages of simple random, stratified random, cluster, and systematic sampling. |
multiple choice questions for Objective 4
essay/activity questions for Objective 4
web links for Objective 4
- Identify and describe three nonrandom sampling techniques.
| 5.1 | Explain why random sampling techniques cannot always be used in educational research, and describe several situations in which you would use nonrandom sampling techniques.
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| 5.2 | Discuss the concerns related to representativeness and generalizability resulting from the use of nonrandom sampling techniques.
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| 5.3 | Define convenience sampling and describe a situation in which you would use this technique.
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| 5.4 | Define purposive sampling and describe a situation in which you would use this technique.
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| 5.5 | Define quota sampling and describe a situation in which you would use this technique.
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| 5.6 | Explain the importance of discussing sampling bias in a final research report in which nonrandom sampling techniques were used. |
multiple choice questions for Objective 5
essay/activity questions for Objective 5
web links for Objective 5
- Identify and briefly describe two major sources of sample bias.
| 6.1 | Define the term sampling error and discuss the means by which it can be controlled to some extent.
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| 6.2 | Define the term sampling bias, identify the major source of it, and provide several examples of it. |
multiple choice questions for Objective 6
essay/activity questions for Objective 6
- Describe quantitative and qualitative sampling strategies.
| 7.1 | Define the term sampling from a qualitative perspective and identify its purpose.
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| 7.2 | Explain why the characteristics of qualitative research require alternative sampling strategies.
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| 7.3 | Define intensity sampling and describe a situation in which you would use this technique.
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| 7.4 | Define homogeneous sampling and describe a situation in which you would use this technique.
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| 7.5 | Define criterion sampling and describe a situation in which you would use this technique.
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| 7.6 | Define snowball sampling and describe a situation in which you would use this technique.
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| 7.7 | Define random purposive sampling and describe a situation in which you would use this technique.
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| 7.8 | Discuss concerns related to representativeness and generalizability when using purposive samples in a qualitative research study.
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| 7.9 | Identify two guides for determining an appropriate sample size in a qualitative study.
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| 7.10 | Differentiate probability sampling from purposive sampling. |
multiple choice questions for Objective 7
