8010WK 10
2
RESPONSE 1
Yahira Aviles Diaz
Week 10 Discussion: Sampling and Collecting Quantitative and Qualitative Data
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Position A: Probability sampling represents the best strategy for selecting research participants.
Sampling refers to the process of selecting participants for a research study. There are two main types of sampling processes: the probability sampling or random sampling, and the nonprobability sampling or nonrandom sampling. Out of the two types of sampling processes, probability sampling represents the best strategy for selecting research participants. According to Babbie (2017), Burkholder et. al (2020), and Teddlie and Yu (2007), probability sampling is the best strategy to select participants because it better represents the population in quantitative research. Therefore, it allows researchers to estimate the accuracy of the sample representation of the larger group. Consequently, by eliminating bias, researchers draw better conclusions at the time of analyzing data.
Random sampling gives each person an equal opportunity to be selected as a sample to represent its population. Teddlie and Yu (2007), explained that for instance, if a researcher would like stratified sampling by gender, they would have to classify the population in all males and all females. Then, the researchers would proceed to randomly select a sample from the male group and from the female group.
Select a data collection method (e.g., surveys, interviews, observations) and briefly explain at least one strength and at least one limitation.
Interviews are one of the most used data collection method as they provide with information that is not limited by numerical factors. They not only provide participant’s responses, but also allow researchers and insight on participant’s tone, inflection, and body language. However, Burkholder et. al (2020) provided a table of possible limitations for interview data collection that could impair its integrity. Something as simple as rushing the interview, or as complex as including presuppositions or not considering issues of power or culture can negatively influence the research.
Identify a potential ethical issue with this method and describe a strategy to address it.
Interviews potential ethical issue is confidentiality and subjectivity. Researchers ought to provide participants with a privacy assurance. To address subjectivity, researchers ought to construct and follow interview protocols (p. 150).
Relationship between measurement reliability and measurement validity in education.
Reliability refers to the confirmability or repeated results each time a measurement is performed. In the field of education, reliability is easily influenced by different factors. Some examples of these factors are students reading proficiency, illness, number of items per standard, guessing responses, marking errors, language proficiency, misunderstanding instructions, etc. (Drost, 2011). On the other hand, validity refers to the accurate representation between results and research. This means that the variable in effect caused the change researched. For instance, a low proficient student in reading may also, show low scores in every other subject. The student’s reading proficiency may affect the accuracy of a math assessment. Therefore, the math assessment is not a valid instrument to assess the math skill as it is assessing the student’s ability to read and understand, for example, a word problem or the instructions.
References
Babbie, E. (2017). Basics of social research (7th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.
Burkholder, G. J., Cox, K. A., Crawford, L. M., & Hitchcock, J. H. (Eds.). (2020). Research designs and methods: An applied guide for the scholar-practitioner. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Drost, E. A. (2011). Validity and Reliability in Social Science Research. Education Research & Perspectives, 38(1), 105-123.
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RESPONSE 2
steven stoner
Sampling and Collecting Data
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Restate your assigned position on sampling strategies. Explain why this position is the best strategy for selecting research participants. Support your explanation with an example and support from the scholarly literature.
Nonprobability sampling is the better choice for selecting research participants since it allows participants to be hand-picked by the researchers. In nonprobability sampling, the researcher knows the participants, so the time needed to choose them is significantly reduced. Nonprobability sampling is also faster and more cost-effective since the timing required to create a random group is eliminated (Burkholder, 2020).
Select a data collection method (e.g., surveys, interviews, observations) and briefly explain at least one strength and at least one limitation.
In nonprobability sampling, a popular method for selecting participants is purposive sampling. Purposive sampling is used by the researcher when there may be a limited number of people who would have enough knowledge to accurately participate (Onawuegbuzie, 2007). The idea of hand-picking the participants in a study is a strength of purposive sampling. The researcher knows who they are working with and understands that the information gathered will be accurate to the survey. The major weakness of purposive sampling is the high level of bias that can exist. The researcher is picking people they know about the topic; inevitably, the researcher will choose those who share the same knowledge base or feelings as they do.
Identify a potential ethical issue with this method and describe a strategy to address it.
An ethical issue in purposive sampling is confidentiality. When conducting a study, the participant's confidentiality and anonymity are of the utmost importance to protect them from harm. In a purposive sample, the participants are known to the researcher, so the concept of anonymity does not exist. Bias can also come into play since the participants are based on their knowledge of the topic. A strategy that can be used to address confidentiality in purposive sampling is selecting some participants that may not have the same knowledge and therefore are not known to the researcher. While this will move the process away from purposive sampling to a center degree, it will help ensure that the research remains unbias and anonymity is maintained.
Explain the relationship between measurement reliability and measurement validity using an example from your discipline.
Reliability and validity are used in research to check the quality of the research being conducted. Reliability is used to check the consistency of the study, and validity is used to check on the accuracy (Burkholder, 2020). In my research about transgender athletes in sports, measurement reliability would ensure that the research is legit and the participants are chosen based on ethical considerations. Reliability would allow the research to be duplicated by another at another time. The study's validity would show that the study did focus on transgender athletes and the struggles they face. Validity would show that my research was in line with previous research that has been conducted.
Burkholder, G. J., Cox, K. A., Crawford, L. M., & Hitchcock, J. H. (Eds.). (2019). Research design and methods: An applied guide for the scholar-practitioner. Sage Publications.
Onwuegbuzie, A. J., & Collins, K. M. (2007). A typology of mixed methods sampling designs in social science research. Qualitative Report, 12(2), 281-316.
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