SOAN Capstone?

Sample

a smaller set of cases a researcher selects from a larger pool and generalizes to the population

Census

an attempt to count everyone in a target population

non random sample

a type of sample which the sampling elements are selected using something other than a mathematically random process

haphazard sampling

a type of non random sample in which the researcher selects anyone they happen to come across

Quota sampling

type of nonrandom sample in which the researcher first identifies general categories into which cases or people will be selected, then selects predetermined number of cases

purposive sampling

type of nonrandom sample in which a wide range of methods are used to locate all possible cases of a highly specific and difficult to reach population

deviant case sampling

a type of nonrandom sample, in which a researcher selects unusual or nonconforming cases purposely as a way to provide greater insight into social processes or a setting

snowball sampling

a type of nonrandom sample in which the researcher begins with one case, then identifies other cases based on information about interrelationships. this process repeats

sociogram

a diagram or "map" that shows the network of social relationships, influence patterns, or communication paths among a group of people or units

sequential sampling

type of nonrandom sample in which a researcher tries to find as many relevant cases and possible until there is no new information or diversity on the cases

theoretical sampling

A theoretical sample is drawn in a sequential fashion, with settings or individuals selected for study as earlier observations or interviews indicate that these settings or individuals are influential.

theoretical saturation

point which no new themes emerge fro the data. sampling is considered complete

probability sampling

strategies that give every subject in the population the same likelihood of being selected

sampling element

the name for a case or single unit to be selected

population:

the name for the large general group of many cases from which a researcher draws a sample

target population

the large general group of many cases from which a sample is drawn and specified in concrete terms

sampling ratio

number of cases in the sample divided by the number of cases in the population or the sampling frame

sampling frame

list of cases in a population or the best approximation of it

parameter

characteristic of the entire population that is estimated from a sample

statistic

a numerical estimate of a population parameter computed from a sample

sampling error

how much a sample deviates from being representative of the population

margin of error

en estimate about the amount of sampling error that exists in surveys results

random sample

type of sample in which the researcher uses a random number table or similar mathematical random process so that each element will have a n equal chance of being selected

simple random sampling

type of random sample when reasurcher creates a sampling frame and uses a pure random process to select cases

Random number generator

a computer assisted technique used for creating random numbers and selecting random cases in sampling

Sampling distribution:

a distribution created by drawing many random samples from the same population

Central limit theorem

stating that whenever many random samples are drawn from a population and plotted, a normal distribution is formed

Confidence interval

range of values, usually a little higher and lower than a specific value found in a sample where researcher has a specified high degree of confidence that the population parameter lies

Stratified sampling

a type of random sample in which the researcher first identifies a set of mutually exclusive and exhaustive categories

Cluster sampling

type of random sample that uses multiple stages and is often used to cover wide geographic areas in which aggregated units are randomly selected

Random digit dialling

a method of randomly selecting cases for telephone interviews that uses all possible telephone numbers as a sampling frame

Hidden populations

people who engage in clandestine, deviant or concealed activities and who are difficult to locate and study

Inferential statistics:

branch of applied mathematics or statistics based on a random sample

survey research

quantitative social research technique in which one systematically asks many people the same questions and then records and analyzes their answers

interview schedule

the name of a survey research questionnaire when a telephone or face to face interview is used

questionnaire

tool used in survey research consisting of a list of questions asked to a respondent

prestige bias

a problem in a survey research question that occurs when a highly respected group or individual is liked to one of the answers

Double barrelled question:

problem in a research question wording that occurs when two ideas are combined into one question and is unclear whether the answer is for the combination of both or one or the other question

Leading or loaded question

a question that leads the respondent to choose one response over another by its wording

Threatening questions

type of survey research question in which respondents are likely to cover up or lie about their true behaviour or beliefs because the fear a loss of self image/ deviant behaviour

Social desirability bias

bias in survey research in which respondents give a normative response or a socially acceptable answer rather then giving a truthful answer

Mode of delivery

how the data is collected ie over the phone in person

Contingency question:

question with two or more parts in survey research. The answer to the first part of the question determines which of two different questions a respondent receives next

Open ended question:

type of survey question in which respondents are free to offer any answer they wish to the question

Closed ended question:

type of survey research question in which respondents must choose from a fixed set of answers

Respondent fatigue

the tendency for respondents to lose interest in participating in research if they perceive their participation to be taking too long

Partially open question

type of survey research question in which respondents are given a fixed set of answers to choose from, but in addition an other category is offered so they can specify a different answer

Standard format question

type of survey research question in which the answer categories fail to include no opinion, or dont know

Quasi filter question

type of survey research question that includes the answer choice of no opinion or don't know

Full filter question

only respondents with an opinion or knowledge are asked specific questions on the topic

Floaters

respondents who lack a belief or opinion but who give an answer anyways. Often they are inconsistent

Response set bias

an effect in survey research when respondents tend to agree or disagree with every question in a series, rather than thinking through their answer

Wording effect

an effect that occurs when a specific term or word used in a survey research question affects how respondents answer the question

Order effect

effect in survey research in which respondents hear specific question before others and the earlier questions affect their answers to later questions

Funnel sequence

a way to order survey research questions in a questionnaire from general to specific

Cover sheet

one or more pages at the beginning of the questionnaire with information about an interview or respondent

Matrix question

a type of survey research question in which a set of questions is lifted in a compact form together, all questions sharing the same set of answer categories

probe

a follow up question or action in survey research used by an interviewer to have a respondent clarity or elaborate on an incomplete or inappropriate answer

Computer assisted telephone interviewing

survey research in which the interviewer sits in front of a computer screen and keyboard and uses the computer to read questions that are asked in a telephone interview

Computer assisted personal interviewing

similar to computer assisted telephone intervening, but used for in person interviews

Pseudo Survey

someone who has little or no real interest in learning information from a respondent uses the survey format to try to persuade someone to do something