SOCW 6301 wk7 Discussion 1

Discussion 1: Sampling Structures

Probability and nonprobability are the two general categories of sampling. Probability sampling uses random selection, whereas nonprobability sampling does not.

 For example, if you wanted to study the effects of divorce on the psychological development of adolescents, you could gather a population of a certain number of adolescents whose parents were divorced. Then, out of that population, you could randomly select 25 of those people. If you wanted to use nonprobability sampling, you would choose specific people who had met predetermined criteria. 

For this Discussion, consider how samples would be chosen for both probability and nonprobability sampling structures.  

  Post your explanation of the following: 

 •Using your research problem and the refined question you developed in Week 4, develop two sampling structures: probability and nonprobability.

 •Explain who would be included in each sample and how each sample would be selected.

 •Be specific about the sampling structures you chose, evaluating both strengths and limitations of each.