Sampling and Collecting Quantitative and Qualitative Data

Sampling and Collecting Quantitative and Qualitative Data

Sampling and Collecting Quantitative and Qualitative Data

It is often not possible or practical to study an entire population, so researchers draw samples from which they make inferences about a population of interest. In quantitative research, where generalization to a population is typically valued, a researcher’s ability to make such inferences is only as good as the sampling method she or he uses to obtain the sample. Although generalization is typically not a goal in qualitative research, sampling is no less important. Indeed, for quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research, sampling is a critical aspect of the research process.

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With a sampling strategy in mind, attention then turns to collecting data from the sample. Specific methods of data collection produce specific types of data that will answer particular research questions, but not others; so here, too, as covered in previous weeks, the research questions inform the type of data that are needed (numerical or non-numerical) and how the data will be obtained (e.g., interviews, experiments, document analysis, surveys, observations).

For this Discussion, you will consider sampling strategies. You will also explore the strengths and limitation of various methods of data collection and their ethical implications. Last, you will consider measurement reliability and validity in the context of your discipline.

With these thoughts in mind,  If your last name starts with M through Z, use Position B.

Position B: Nonprobability (or purposive) sampling represents the best method for selecting research participants.

Post by Day 4 a restatement of your assigned position. Defend your position with examples and support from the scholarly literature. Next, select a method of data collection and briefly explain its strengths and limitations. Then, identify a potential ethical issue with this method and describe a strategy to address it. Last, explain the relationship between measurement reliability and measurement validity using examples from your discipline.

Be sure to support your Main Issue Post and Response Post with reference to the week’s Learning Resources and other scholarly evidence in APA Style.

Read a selection of your classmates’ postings.

Respond by Day 6 to a classmate who was assigned the opposite position by further supporting or respectfully countering his or her position.

Resources 

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