User Sampling Methods :: essays research papers

1 take method actingsWhen surveying, for any purpose, it is important to recognise that the results are only as representative as the survey subjects (the ensample), and as such much academician research has been performed in to techniques for selection, broadly placing them in one of two categories fortune sampling and non-probability sampling.In short, with probability sampling the participants are selected by chance. at that place are dozens of methods of selecting members, using a variety of mathematical techniques, besides the key is that each subject has a stochastic, calculable chance of organism selected. There is no human intervention involved in the selection.MethodCharacteristicsSimple (random) SamplingThe sample is selected entirely at random stratifiedThe population is first divided in to exclusive subgroups based on some predetermined criteria (e.g. location), accordingly samples are selected at random harmonious StratifiedAs above, but a pettyer group that would other not issue statistically valid results may be oversampled then the results weighted to correct for this. For example, if a particular group is too small to provide a statistically significant sample, more members of that group would be sampled ClusteringThe starting point for the sample is randomised, then assumes that the sample at that point is representative of the region. For example, selecting a street corner, interviewing the first 10 people, and expect that they are representative of the area carry over 2 - Probability Sampling MethodsNon-probability samples, however, contain an element of human bias in the sample selection. Again, at that place are various methods for the selection, the most common of which areMethodCharacteristicsQuotaRespondents are preselected to ensure that the sample is representativePurposiveSubjects are selected as they stupefy some specific characteristic, for example, hold a certain position or job fibreConvenienceThe sample is sele cted by availabilitySnowballingContacts provide information about other potential respondentsSelf-selectionRespondents volunteer themselves for selection judgmentAn expert uses his or her judgement to nominate people for sampleTable 3 - Non-probability Sampling MethodsMost samples use a combination of sample selection methods. For example, quota sampling is often used to ensure that a random sample is actually representative of the population.2Survey typesThere are three basic surveying techniques that are capable for consideration in the projectInterviewTelephoneSelf Administered Survey2.1Interview (face to face)This home includes in-depth interviews, focus groups and projective methods (such as word association tests) which are not suitable for use in this project. There are several distinct advantages to this type of survey, such asResponse rates tend to be high than other methods Ability to reassure the subject about their responses