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Sampling and Generalizability
Tips for Success

1. Define and give examples of each of the following key terms:

Cluster sampling
Convenience sampling
Generalizability
Nonprobability sampling
Population
Probability sampling
Proportional stratified sampling
Quota sampling
Sample
Sampling error
Stratified sampling
Systematic sampling
Table of random numbers

2. Ask yourself what material from earlier chapters is crucial to understanding this one, and what you must understand from this chapter when reading the next.

3. Summarize in writing the most important differences between the different methods of choosing a sample.

4. Explain what effect each of the sampling techniques might have on generalizing from a sample that was chosen using that method to the population from which the sample came.

5. Look at several polls reported on the Internet (e.g., http://www.gallup.com/, http://www.pollingreport.com/, http://www.cyberpages.com/poll) , and try to decide what sampling method was used for each.



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