PAVITHRA'S EDUCATIONAL PLATFORM: 2019

Sampling in Quantitative Research

Quantitative Research

Quantitative research is defined as the systematic investigation of phenomena by gathering quantifiable data and performing statistical, mathematical or computational techniques, etc. the results of which can be depicted in the form of numericals. Quantitative research is mostly conducted in social science using the statistical methods used above to collect quantitative data from the research study. In this, research method researchers and statisticians deployed mathematical frameworks and theories that pertains to the quantity under questions. It is investigational in nature and the results achieved are logical statistical and unbiased. Data collections happened using a structured method and conducted for large samples which represent the entire population(admin, n.d.).

Characteristics of Quantitative Research

· Structured tools.

· Sample size.

· Close-ended questions.

· Prior studies.

· Quantitative data.

· Generalization of results.

Types of Quantitative Research Method (admin, n.d.)

There are two methods to conduct quantitative research. They are:

· Primary quantitative research method

Primary quantitative research is mainly focuses on collecting data directly rather than depending on data collected from previously done research.

It has three branches:-

· Techniques and types of studies.

· Data Collection methodologies.

· Data analysis techniques.

· Secondary quantitative research method

Secondary quantitative research or desk research is a research method that involves using already existing data or secondary data.

· Data available on the internet.

· Government and non-government sources.

· Public libraries.

· Educational institutions.

· Commercial information sources.

Table 1 Quantitative Research Advantage and Disadvantage

ADVANTAGES	DISADVANTAGES
Specific research problem Clear independent and dependent variable High level of reliability Minimum personal judgments	Limited outcomes due to structured method Inability to control the environment Expensive

Population

A population(Kenton, n.d.) is a group of individuals who have the same characteristics.

A target population is a group of individual with some common defining characteristic that the researcher can identify and study(‘Quantitative Research: Definition, Methods, Types and Examples | QuestionPro’, n.d.).

Sample

A sample is a subgroup of the target the population that the researcher plans to study for generalizing about the target population.

In an ideal situation, you can select a sample of individuals who are representative of the entire population.(Kenton, n.d.)

figure1Population and Sample

Probability Sampling. In probability sampling, the researcher selects individuals from the population who are representative of the population.

· simple random sampling

The intent of simple random sampling is to choose individuals to be sampled who will be representative of the population with equal probability.

· Stratified random sampling

In stratified sampling, researchers divide the (stratify) the population on some specific characteristic (e.g.: Gender) and then using simple random sampling, sample from each subgroup (stratum) of the population (e.g.: females and males).

· Systematic sampling

In this procedure, you choose every nth individual or site in the population until you reach your desired sample size.

This procedure is not as precise and rigorous as using the Random numbers table but it may be more convenient because individuals do not have to be number and it does not require a Random numbers table.

· Cluster sampling

It involves using a sampling design that involves multiple stages and clusters and then randomly sample elements from within the selected clusters this has a big practical advantage.

Non-Probability Sampling. In Nonprobability sample researcher select individuals because they are available convenient and represent some characteristic the investigator seeks to study. Researchers use two popular approaches in non-probability sampling

· Convenience sampling

· Snowball sampling

· Convenience sampling

Inconvenience sampling the researcher selected participants because they are willing and available to be studied. The sample can provide Useful information for answering questions and hypotheses.

· Snowball Sampling

In this case, the researcher asks participants to identify others to become members of the sample. The difference between the sample estimate and the true population score is called sampling error.

Conclusions

Numbers, statistics and data are very important in quantitative research. The strongest evidence is found among those studies that are done carefully and that can exert the highest level of control.

References

admin. (n.d.). Sampling Techniques in Quantitative Research | Dr. V.K. Maheshwari, Ph.D. Retrieved 20 August 2019, from http://www.vkmaheshwari.com/WP/?p=2455

Kenton, W. (n.d.). Understanding Population Statistics. Retrieved 20 August 2019, from Investopedia website: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/population.asp

Quantitative Research: Definition, Methods, Types and Examples | QuestionPro. (n.d.). Retrieved 20 August 2019, from https://www.questionpro.com/blog/quantitative-research/

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