Sampling
Researchable populations assignment:
The temptation to form premature theories upon insufficient data is the bane of our profession.
—Sherlock Holmes (from The Valley of Fear, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Sherlock Holmes, the great fictional logician, may have made this reprimand in reference to the science of criminal investigation, but the underlying principle holds true for all branches of research. Now that you have identified a research problem and developed hypotheses, the next step is to identify your sample and begin gathering data that will answer your research questions. The process of sampling to gather data is a crucial step in the research process in that you must be sure that the instruments and sample population mesh well with the study’s goals and objectives so that they will produce valid and reliable results.
Researchable populations assignment
For this Discussion, you identify a target population and sample appropriate for addressing the research problem you formulated in the Week 2 Discussion. (see attached file).
To prepare:
- Review this week’s media presentation and consider Dr. Pothoff’s comments on sampling.
- Recall the research problem, question, and hypothesis you developed in Week 2’s Discussion. With this in mind, ask yourself: What population is most relevant, and accessible, for exploring my research problem?
- Consider how you could reach this target population to gather data. What are some challenges you might encounter?
- Determine a data collection approach for your target population. Develop an informed rationale for selecting that approach.
By tomorrow Wednesday 09/13/17, write a minimum of 550 words essay in APA format with a minimum of 3 references from the list in the instructions area. Include the level one headings as numbered below:
Post a cohesive response that addresses the following questions:
1) What are the researchable populations in your area of practice? Which would be most appropriate for use in your research study?
2) What are the challenges of obtaining a sample from this population? How could you address those challenges?
3) What approach would you use to collect data from the sample? Provide a rationale for the approach you choose based on this week’s Learning Resources.