Examining Populations and Samples in Research

These flashcards cover key concepts related to sampling and populations in research, helping students familiarize themselves with important vocabulary and definitions.

Sample

A selected group of people or elements from which data are collected for a study.

Sampling

The process of selecting a group of people, events, behaviors, or other elements to conduct a study.

Population

A specific group of individuals or elements who are the focus of the research.

Target Population

The entire set of individuals or elements that meet the sampling criteria.

Accessible Population

The portion of the target population that the researcher has reasonable access to.

Inclusion Criteria

Characteristics that a subject or element must possess to be part of the target population.

Exclusion Criteria

Characteristics that can cause a person or element to be excluded from the target population.

Generalization

Extending the findings from the sample under study to the larger population.

Sampling Error

The difference between the population mean and the mean of the sample.

Probability Sampling

A selection technique in which sample units are chosen using random methods.

Nonprobability Sampling

A selection technique in which elements are chosen using nonrandom methods.

Simple Random Sampling

A method where each member of the population has an equal chance of being selected.

Stratified Random Sampling

A method where the population is divided into subgroups and randomly sampled proportionately.

Systematic Sampling

The random selection of participants from a population list at fixed intervals.

Convenience Sampling

A nonprobability sampling strategy where the most readily accessible participants are chosen.

Quota Sampling

A nonprobability sampling strategy that ensures representation of specific strata in the sample.

Purposive Sampling

A sampling strategy where participants are selected based on the researcher's knowledge of the population.

Snowball Sampling

A strategy used to find samples that are difficult to locate using social networks.

Power Analysis

The ability to detect differences in a population or capacity to correctly reject a null hypothesis.

Effect Size

The extent to which the null hypothesis is false, indicating the presence of the phenomenon being studied.