Sampling, Methodological Issues in

Sampling is a foundational step in conducting any type of thorough research. Methodologically, it involves the identification of where the study takes place (e.g., laboratory, virtual), the population (e.g., seniors that currently attend Texas A&M University), the number in the sample necessary for analysis (e.g., 50 people), the sampling scheme (e.g., random number assignment), and ensuring that the preceding all follow the conception of research questions and goals. Specifically, sampling is the manner in which researchers select items or participants from a population to be observed for study. Probability and purposive sampling are the two broad types of sampling procedures utilized in social and behavioral research. Probability sampling uses random selection to ensure that each unit of the population has an equal chance ...