Test 1: Sampling and Operational Definitions

Question 1

What are the probability sampling methods?

Answer 1

Simple random sample
Systematic sampling
Cluster sample
Stratified sample

Question 2

How is a simple random sample acquired?

Answer 2

Selecting members through random lottery or draws

Question 3

How is a systematic sample acquired?

Answer 3

Selecting members using a fixed, periodic interval (sampling interval)

Question 4

How is a cluster sample acquired?

Answer 4

Selecting all members in randomly selected groups or clusters

Question 5

How is a stratified sample acquired?

Answer 5

Randomly selecting members from each stratum in a population

Question 6

What are the pros and cons of probability sampling?

Answer 6

Samples have a higher chance of representing the whole population, but not all selected subjects are necessarily willing to answer. Can be used to work with quantitative data

Question 7

What are the non-probability sampling methods?

Answer 7

Convenience sampling
Voluntary sampling
Purposive sampling
Snowball sampling

Question 8

How is a convenience sample acquired?

Answer 8

Selecting members through convenience (i.e.: proximity and availability)

Question 9

How is a voluntary sample acquired?

Answer 9

Members volunteer to be in treatment or control group

Question 10

How is a purposive sample acquired?

Answer 10

Using judgement to select members that are most useful for the study

Question 11

How is a snowball sample acquired?

Answer 11

Asking early participants to recruit more members of the sample

Question 12

What are the pros and cons of non-probability sampling?

Answer 12

Participants are easier to access, but have a higher risk of presenting a sampling bias. Should be used for exploratory and qualitative research and not make statistical inferences

Question 13

What are the concepts that an operational definition should be?

Answer 13

Accurate, precise, and reliable

Question 14

Def. of accurate

Answer 14

Measurements must approximate a “true value”, and be as close to it as possible

Question 15

Def. of precise

Answer 15

Standards are consistently reproducible, measurements are generally close to each other, even if not accurate

Question 16

Def. of reliable

Answer 16

Measurements have been tested and are considered trustworthy

Question 17

What is an operational definition?

Answer 17

The transformation of an abstract, theoretical concept into something more concrete, observable, and measurable in an empirical research project

Question 18

Example
Temperature: actual vs. operational definitions

Answer 18

Actual definition of temperature: the degree of hotness or coldness as measured on a definite temperature scale
Operational definition: degrees Celsius measured by a mercury-in-glass clinical thermometer

Question 19

Example
Intelligence: actual vs. operational definitions

Answer 19

Actual definition of intelligence: the ability to learn, understand, or deal with new situations
Operational definition: the skills and abilities measured by a fourth edition Stanford Binet Intelligence Test