Beginning concepts, research question, hypothesis

Non-probability sampling

Sampling that does not involve random selection

Modal instance sampling

Choose characteristics of a typical case and select based on that

Ex. If you look at young males in rural Texas areas, selecting hunters may be great

Quota sampling

Create greater similarity between sample and population of interest

Ex. 70% of MacEwan students are female, so in a sample of MacEwan students, 70% should be female

Snowball sampling

Current study participants refer new participants from their social networks, creating a chain that grows like a rolling snowball, ideal for reaching hidden or hard-to-find populations

Probability sampling

Sampling that does involve random selection

Simple random sampling

Drawing names from a hat or using a computer to randomly select your sample

Stratified random sampling

You have your theoretical population, and then you divide it into strata, and then pick the sample from the stratum.

Ex. You have a population of people, and then you divide the population into groups based on race, and then you take your sample from there.

Systematic random sampling

Uses a mathematical formula that uses every “Nth” person on a list. It is used less frequently nowadays.

Cluster sampling

Larger clusters of individuals are randomly sampled and then individuals within each cluster are randomly sampled.

Multi-stage sampling

A probability sampling technique where you select samples in stages, moving from larger groups (like states or cities) to smaller units (like blocks or households) within those selected groups

Research question vs hypothesis vs prediction

A research question is a broad statement about what you’d like to research

A hypothesis is a general statement of what you think will happen 

Prediction: a statement of what you think will happen that is particular to your study