Best, best

Discussion 1: (Design and sampling)

Purpose:  Summarize and appraise an article for bias and validity in a collaborative environment.

Assessment:  The DBs are worth 35 points. It will be graded based quality of 3 posts made on 3 different days. Please see the grading rubric embedded below for complete criteria.

Instructions: Carefully read, summarize, and appraise your group's assigned article.  The discussion board for this week should cover the following concepts in order to have a complete draft by the end of the week. Apply the concepts discussed in the lecture and the readings.  As you provide input to your peers, be sure to state a rationale for your claims.

2. Appraise and debate the sampling methods. Consider the following questions:

· Was the sampling method and inclusion/exclusion criteria adequate to reduce sampling bias?

· Do the sample characteristics representative of the target population?

Was the sample size adequate?

· Was there a decrease in sample size?  If so, did the researchers identify decreases early and attempt to reduce the impact?  Was a decrease, if any, adequately explained by the researchers?

· How would you rate the quality of the sampling procedures and your confidence in drawing inferences to the target population?