2.2 Sampling methods (pp. 17 – 20).pptVIP

2.2: Sampling methods (pp. 17 – 20) Probability sampling: methods that can specify the probability that a given sample will be selected. Randomization: a technique for insuring that any member of a population has an equal chance of appearing in a sample. With randomization, sample statistics will on average have the same values as the population parameters. Simple random sample: each possible sample of a given size has the same likelihood of being selected. How to select a simple random sample 1. list all the subjects in a population 2. assign a number to each subject 3. pick numbers from a list of random numbers 4. put the corresponding subjects in the sample. Cost and feasibility can be problems, especially if the population is large. OK, for people in households or students in classes. Non-probability sampling (pp. 20 – 21) Non-probability sampling methods cannot specify the probability that a given sample will be selected. Example: snowball sampling methods (Edin and Lein) Why use such methods? They are often inexpensive They can provide information about groups that are difficult to sample or require great trust or will get lengthy unstructured interviews. Some social variables and their relationships are universal, which makes sampling method irrelevant! This is assumed for many psychology studies and medical studies. Common research designs (pp. 21 – 22) Experimental design Subjects are randomly assigned to treatments (=variables) by the researcher Causal inferences are stronger Random sampling from the population less important Usually laboratory (exc. Moving to Opportunity, MTO) Observational design (e.g., surveys) Subjects are not randomly assigned to variables Random sampling is important. Selection bias Causal inferences are compromised. Natural Experiments Observational studies (esp. surveys) where respondents’ values on a causal variable are plausibly random. Examples: Military draft lottery Births in last half of year Indian p