Analysis, Comprehensive
Remember that sampling can be described from best to worst as:
- Random – every subject has an equal chance of being chosen.
- Stratified- sample is proportional to the populating in characteristics.
- Systematic-every nth subject is taken from the population.
- Cluster-naturally occurring groups (convenience)
- Volunteer-the subject chooses to participate or not.
Pay close attention to the parts highlighted in the article and answer the following questions.
- Why does experimental research have to have random samples? What’s the advantage or reason?
- What mistake did RA Fisher make in his logic many years ago that has misled researchers ever since?
- What type of sampling was used in the description of Geraldine Ferraro’s observation that she would probably win?
- What type of sampling is used in comparing states by SAT scores and what is the basic problem with Terrel Bell’s chart?
- Why did “fixing” the problem statistically so that SAT’s could be compared not work? What was wrong with the method?
- What is the point of the example of bullet holes and Abraham Wald as advice for better sampling?
- What is “nonignorable nonresponse” and why is that one of the most important concepts you can remember to tell if research is making good claims?
- What is the only real solution to solving research problems that would like to test hypotheses about causality?
