Probability Sampling
What is the name of the sampling method where every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected?
Random Sampling.
Which non-probability sampling method selects individuals based on ease of access?
Convenience Sampling.
You want to survey 100 students in a school of 1,000, but you want to make sure every year group is represented proportionally. Which sampling method should you use?
Stratified Sampling.
What is the main purpose of a research design?
To outline a plan for answering research questions, including objectives, data sources, data collection methods, and ethical considerations.
Which research method is commonly used to collect large amounts of data quickly and economically?
Survey research (e.g., through questionnaires).
In which probability sampling method are samples selected at a fixed interval (every nth member) from a list after a random starting point?
Systematic Sampling.
Which non-probability sampling method involves the researcher selecting participants based on their own judgment about who is most likely to provide useful information?
Judgment Sampling.
You’re studying the shopping habits of customers at a large chain of stores, and you decide to randomly select 5 stores and survey all the customers at those stores. Which sampling method are you using?
Cluster Sampling.
What are the two types of research methods typically used in a research design?
Primary research (collecting original data) and Secondary research (using data already collected by others).
What is a structured interview, and how is it different from an unstructured interview?
A structured interview uses a set of predetermined questions asked to all respondents, while an unstructured interview allows for open-ended responses without a fixed set of questions.
Which sampling method divides the population into subgroups (strata) based on specific characteristics, and then samples from each stratum?
Stratified Sampling.
What is quota sampling, and how does it ensure specific groups are represented?
In quota sampling, the population is divided into groups or categories, and the researcher surveys until the quota (a set number of participants from each group) is met. This ensures that specific characteristics are represented to the desired extent.
You are conducting research on people who work night shifts, but they are hard to find. You ask one night shift worker to introduce you to others who also work at night. What sampling method are you using?
Snowball Sampling.
What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative research?
Quantitative research uses numbers and statistics to analyze data (e.g., surveys), while qualitative research explores attitudes and behaviors in-depth, often through interviews or focus groups.
What is the Likert scale, and what does it measure?
A Likert scale is a type of scaled question used to measure the strength of respondents’ feelings about a particular statement (e.g., strongly agree to strongly disagree).
In cluster sampling, what is the key characteristic of the groups (clusters) used for sampling?
Each group (cluster) includes a mix of different people that represent the overall population.
What is the name of the sampling method where existing study subjects recruit future subjects from among their acquaintances?
Snowball Sampling.
You are conducting a survey on the preferences of a city’s residents about public transportation. You randomly select individuals from each neighborhood. Which sampling method is this?
Cluster Sampling.
What kind of data do questionnaires usually collect?
Quantitative data, which is measurable and can be analyzed statistically, though they can also include some open-ended qualitative responses.
When would you choose a focus group as a research method?
A focus group is used when you want to explore people’s opinions and attitudes in-depth and generate rich, qualitative data through group discussion.
What is multi-stage sampling, and when would you use it?
Multi-stage sampling is a process where sampling is done in multiple steps. It is used when the population is large and difficult to sample all at once. For example, a researcher might first select random regions, then select schools within those regions, and finally select students from each school.
In which situation would you use volunteer sampling, and what is its major limitation?
Volunteer sampling is used when participants are recruited by advertising for volunteers (e.g., posting an online ad). Its major limitation is self-selection bias—only those who are interested or motivated to respond will participate.
A researcher wants to know how customer satisfaction changes over time. He decides to survey the same group of customers every year for five years. What kind of study is this, and what sampling method is likely being used?
What is the purpose of a pilot study?
To test the research tools (e.g., questionnaire or interview questions) before the main study to ensure clarity, appropriateness, and reliability.
What is the main limitation of using a telephone interview?
Telephone interviews can suffer from low response rates and difficulty in verifying the identity of the respondent.