Sampling Strategy and Sample Size for a Quantitative Research Plan

Now that you have considered the impact that sampling strategy and size can have on the quality and reliability of a research study, you must now turn your attention to your own quantitative research plan. You have built your research plan over the past 5 weeks to include proper research design and measurement methods. This week, you add to this plan by deciding what sampling strategy best fits your research.

To prepare for this Application:

• Review Chapter 8, “Sampling and Sample Designs” and Appendix D, “Random Digits” in the course text Research Methods in the Social Sciences.

• Review the handout “Sample Size Analysis for Quantitative Studies” located in the Learning Resources.
• Consider what would be the best sampling strategy for your quantitative research plan. Why have you chosen that strategy?
• What considerations should you be thinking about for your sample size?
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the sampling strategy for your research plans?

The assignment:

• Craft a 3-to 5-page paper in which you recommend the sampling strategy and sample size for your quantitative research plan. Include a rationale for why that is the best strategy and size for your plan. Refer to the literature as needed. Use the following as a framework for your paper:
• • Population
  • • Population
    • Size, if known, or approximate/estimated size
  • Sampling
  • • Type of sampling
    • How the sample will be drawn
    • Sample size and why this was chosen in relation to population size