Sampling Assignment Introduction to Sampling:
Understanding the concept of sampling is one of the most important aspects of mastering
research methods. It is one of the MOST important chapters in this book and this course. No
doubt you will come across the concept of sampling again and again throughout your academic
career and your life. ! Understanding what sampling is and how to properly select a sample for your proposed research
study is the backbone of understanding research methods. Researchers use a sample of the
population to conduct their research. Ultimately the goal is to make valid generalizations about
the entire population. By being able to explain why and how they chose their samples,
researchers can justify how the results of their research can be applied to the larger population.
Sampling is “the process of selecting observations” (Babbie, 2014, p. 197) within the context of
the research question. The research question helps the researcher to determine which sampling
method is appropriate for the research. Not all sampling methods are appropriate for every type
of research. To determine if a sample is appropriate for the research question, researchers define
the population and sample components, assess the diversity of the sample, test hypotheses, and
evaluate the generalizeablity of the results. Next, staying within the context of the research
question, they have to determine what sampling methods to use and decide between probability
and non-probability sampling methodologies.
This Assignment:
This assignment is 15 short-answer questions. This means that your answer is one or more wellorganized, short paragraphs. Remember, a paragraph is a minimum of three sentences, but
preferably 5-7 sentences. Write as though you were writing a paper in APA style, including
citations, a reference page, and a cover page. It is acceptable to copy and paste the questions,
followed by your answer.
QUESTIONS FOR SAMPLING ASSIGNMENT
1. Was the sample that Milgram obtained for his study on following authority a
representative one? Why or why not? 2. If you were asked to conduct a quantitative study of the hours students taking SOC 331 at
all Wilmu campuses spend each week on their homework, how would you construct the
study to obtain a representative sample?
!1 ! SOC 331 Sampling Assignment 2016
3. When the population is homogeneous, do we need to sample to complete the study? Why
or why not? !
4. Define each of these sampling methods: simple random sampling, stratified sampling,
disproportionate sampling, and cluster sampling. Discuss when researchers might choose
each method. !
5. Define the following terms: population, population parameter, sampling frame, sampling
unit, sample, sample statistics. !
6. If you conducted a study of all Wilmu third year students’ attitudes towards obtaining a
job in their major field, how would you choose respondents in a way that ensured each
member of the population had an equal chance of being selected for the sample group?
1. !
7. Using the NY Times AND one other newspaper, such as your local newspaper or USA
Today, find two newspaper articles reporting the results of an opinion poll.
• What information do the articles provide on the sample that was selected? • What additional information do you need to determine whether the sample was a
representative one? !
8. Using an article from your article collection, find one article that discusses the sample
chosen for research.
• Describe how and why the sample was chosen, including any issues related to how the
sample was chosen. !
9. What is sampling error?
• How does sample size affect sampling error? Why? Provide an example using a sampling
methodology.
!2 ! SOC 331 Sampling Assignment 2016 !
10. What are the advantages and disadvantages of probability-based sampling designs and
non-probability-based sampling designs? !
11. Using a research study example from Chapter 7: The Logic of Sampling in the Babbie
book, discuss how research in this chapter completed with a non-probability based design
could have been completed with a probability based design.
a. Using the same research example, describe the difficulties that might have been
encountered in an attempt to use random selection.
b. Using the same research example, discuss the degree of confidence you can place
in the results obtained from research using a non-probability-based sampling
designs. !
12. Using your own research question, answer the following:
a. Define the population and sample components
b. What is the diversity of your sample population? How do you know this?
c. What kind of sampling method would you use? Why? !
13. Provide two examples (one probability sampling method and one non-probability
sampling method) of how you could select a sample from a population of 150.
• If the population of 150 was very diverse in age, race, and ethnicity how might you
select the sample? Why? !
14. Why might social science research be conducted using probability sampling? (Hint:
Focus on the RQ.) !
!3 ! SOC 331 Sampling Assignment 2016
15. Why might social science research be conducted using non-probability sampling? (See
hint above.) Where to find guidance on how to complete this assignment:
• Read the Babbie text, specifically the chapter that discusses sampling (chapter 7). Also
pay attention to the articles in your article collection and check for articles that explain
how samples were chosen. !
• You can also use keywords and do a Google search for help. • Check out OWL for help with MUGS. !
Requirements for the formatting of the APA style cover and reference pages:
• Follow the same rules for previous writing assignments. Requirements for the text of your paper:
• Follow the same rules for all other writing assignments.
