EBP#@ Chpt 13: Sampling in Quantitative Research

Vocabulary terms and definitions regarding quantitative research sampling concepts, types of sampling, and sample size considerations based on lecture notes.

Population

The aggregate of cases in which a researcher is interested.

Accessible population

The aggregate of cases that conform to designated criteria and that are accessible for a study.

Target population

The aggregate of cases about which the researcher would like to generalize.

Eligibility criteria

Criteria that specify population characteristics, also known as inclusive criteria.

Sampling

Selection of a portion of the population (a sample) to represent the entire population.

Element

Basic population unit about which information is collected.

Sample

A subset of population elements used to represent the entire population.

Strata

Subpopulations; mutually exclusive segment of a population.

Staged sample

Samples that are selected in multiple phases.

Sampling bias

The systematic over- or underrepresentation of segments of the population on key variables.

Snowball sampling

Also known as network sampling or chain sampling.

Power analysis

A method used in quantitative research to estimate sample size.